Manchester United Linked with Haaland's Friend Sorloth as Striker Search Intensifies

Manchester United have been handed the chance to bring Erling Haaland’s close friend Alexander Sorloth back to the Premier League, with intermediaries putting the Atletico Madrid striker’s name firmly on the table in the final days of the window.

United are scouring the market for another centre-forward before Tuesday’s deadline after allowing Joshua Zirkzee to leave for Fiorentina. Michael Carrick and the recruitment team are weighing up several profiles, but the brief is clear: they want a genuine No.9 who can complement Benjamin Sesko, not block him.

Sorloth has now moved into that conversation.

The Norway international is open to leaving Atletico this summer and would welcome a return to England at the age of 30, having previously had a spell at Crystal Palace. His time in South London never truly caught fire, but his career since has been far more convincing.

Atletico have been pleased with his impact. Sorloth’s frame, aerial strength and penalty-box presence have made him a valuable weapon, and those same traits appeal to United as they look for a physically dominant alternative to Sesko. Across his career, he has racked up 175 goals in 475 matches – numbers that speak to experience and durability as much as finishing.

Atletico, though, will only open the door if they secure a replacement. The Spanish club intend to keep Julian Alvarez but still want another striker in the building. Arsenal’s Gabriel Jesus and former Lille forward Jonathan David are among the names under discussion.

David sits at the heart of a complicated web. Juventus are exploring a deal that could involve the Canada international, with Sorloth and Nico Gonzalez potentially used in an exchange. Those talks, however, are becoming increasingly tangled.

United are in that mix too. David has also been offered to Carrick’s side, who are assessing whether his profile fits what they need in attack as an alternative route to goal.

Mateta, Sarr, Matanovic also under consideration

Sorloth is not the only option on United’s list.

Talks have taken place with Crystal Palace over Jean-Philippe Mateta and Ismaila Sarr, though both situations are described as difficult, with no straightforward agreement in sight. United have also kicked the tyres on several younger forwards as they try to balance short-term impact with long-term planning.

Freiburg’s Igor Matanovic, Hoffenheim’s Fisnik Asllani and RB Leipzig’s Conrad Harder have all been discussed internally, adding a more developmental flavour to a shortlist that also includes seasoned operators like Sorloth.

What makes Sorloth stand out is the blend of experience, physical profile and his openness to a Premier League return. His close relationship with Manchester City star Haaland adds a fascinating sub-plot: the possibility of two Norway internationals, close friends, leading rival front lines in the same city.

For United, though, sentiment will not dictate the move. The priority remains finding the right partner and foil for Sesko. If the club’s hierarchy are not convinced by any of the options on the table – Sorloth included – there is every chance they simply walk away and go without a new striker.