Considerable movement on the Transfermarkt, Manchester United has just a few days left to bring about a change

If Manchester United do anything before the end of the transfer window, they need to ensure that they add to their attacking ranks. Despite investing an initial fee of 64MD in Rasmus Hojlund's signature last August, he has returned just six goals thus far, only one of which has been plundered in the Premier League. Though he has not been aided by a high standard of service, it is clear that he needs some support and competition up front.

Marcus Rashford's goals have dried up, scoring just three times so far this season, and Anthony Martial is unreliable. Furthermore, Antony has not scored since April last year. Amid the possibility of United adding to their attacking ranks this month, which could possibly be via a loan move, just as it was 12 months ago when they borrowed Wout Weghorst from Burnley, they have been linked with a flurry of forward options, one of whom was Timo Werner, who sealed a loan move to Tottenham Hotspur on Tuesday. The Bundesliga, in fact, has thrown up several names, one of whom is Serhou Guirassy.

The Stuttgart forward has been one of the most prolific in European football so far this season, scoring a very impressive 19 goals in just 16 appearances in all competitions. He has scored 17 times in 14 Bundesliga appearances, with only Harry Kane netting more. Unlike the reports that connected United with Werner, though, any move for Guirassy, who will represent Guinea at the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), would be a permanent deal. The Bundesliga club, quite rightly, would not entertain a loan move.

If United, or indeed anyone else is serious about signing Guirassy for as cheap as possible, they are going to have to act fast, according to a report by German publication Bild. As has been widely reported elsewhere in recent weeks, the striker is said to have a cut-price release clause in his contract that expires in the middle of this month. It is reported that the release clause is worth 15MD. If that release clause is triggered, Stuttgart would be unable to retain the striker's services.

Strange movement in the market

But such is his record in front of goal so far this season, his current market value is much steeper than the value of the reported release clause. United, who rarely spend big in the mid-season window, reportedly face competition from Bayern Munich. Though United have consistently been credited with interest in Guirassy in recent weeks, the media understands that their level of interest is not as forthcoming as other reports have suggested. They admire the 27-year-old, but their interest is not as strong as other reports have insisted.