According to reports from The Express this morning, Manchester United have turned to Tottenham Hotspur target Aleksandr Kokorin after missing out on Barcelona star Pedro.
The Red Devils seemed set to sign the 2010 World Cup winner; reports claimed they’d already agreed personal terms with the 27 year-old and chief executive Ed Woodward flew out to Barcelona to conclude a deal earlier this week; but he’s now on the verge of joining Premier League champions Chelsea instead.
And according to The Express, who cite reports from Russian publication TASS, that’s thrust United’s attentions towards Dynamo Moscow forward Aleksandr Kokorin instead – who is also on the radar of Tottenham Hotspur.
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The 24 year-old comes highly-rated and boasts 45 goals in 193 appearances for the Russian outfit, 28 of which have come in his last 71 league outings. The 32-cap international also featured for Russia at last summer’s World Cup, scoring in a 1-1 draw with Algeria.
The Express report that talks with Kokorin’s representatives are already underway, a claim that has been validated by quotes from the 6 foot attacker’s agent.
As quoted by The Daily Star, he said; “Right now I’m working on Kokorin’s transfer. United and Tottenham are interested in his services. There are many reasons to think that it will [happen] in one of two teams before August 31.”
Agent Cyril Loginov also ruled out a move to fellow suitors Zenit St. Petersburg; “Dynamo has several offers from foreign clubs and that’s the priority. We are willing to negotiate the player, but not with Zenit.”
The Star believe £8million could be enough to sign Kokorin, whose Dynamo contract expires in 2016.