Manchester United deciding on activating £15 million January striker release clause to buy the perfect striker for Anthony Martial replacement
Manchester United were reportedly considering triggering the release clause of Stuttgart striker Serhou Guirassy during the January transfer window, as they sought to solve their glaring goal-scoring issues. By the time the rumour surfaced, Erik ten Hag’s attacking players had only managed a combined total of four Premier League goals after 13 matches, a statistic that highlighted their offensive struggles and left them sitting sixth in the league table. Ten Hag was believed to be eyeing as many as four new signings in the winter window, with a reliable striker being high on the list.
Serhou Guirassy, enjoying an outstanding season with 15 goals in just 10 Bundesliga appearances, quickly emerged as a prime target. According to transfer expert Santi Aouna, United were among four clubs closely monitoring the 27-year-old Guinean striker, who reportedly had a £15 million release clause that became active in January. Alongside United, Italian giants AS Roma and AC Milan, as well as Premier League side Newcastle United, were also keeping tabs on his situation.
Stuttgart’s manager Sébastien Hoeness admitted that while Guirassy was happy at the club, his future remained uncertain due to the nature of football transfers. Meanwhile, with Anthony Martial’s inconsistent performances and frequent injuries, Manchester United were said to be open to offers for the Frenchman. This added further weight to Guirassy’s potential arrival as a more consistent and physically dominant option up front, capable of making an immediate impact and easing the burden on young striker Rasmus Højlund.
Despite all the speculation and apparent interest, Guirassy ultimately made the decision to join Borussia Dortmund in January 2024, turning down the opportunity to move to the Premier League, including the prospect of joining Manchester United.
