EPL transfer news: Manchester United to put in official bid for prolific Ligue 1 striker

Manchester United are all set to put in an official bid for PSG striker Edinson Cavani, as the English Premier League side look to boost their forward resources.

Goals have been the problem for Manchester United this season, with tepid displays and a lack of authority in front of goal leading to criticism being piled on Louis Van Gaal.

Manchester United have been linked with several attackers, including Felipe Anderson and James Rodriguez, but what the club probably require at the moment is a lethal finisher.

While Cavani might have his critics, there is no doubt he is one of the best centre-forwards in the game – maybe more because there are very few pure central strikers in the modern game at the moment -- and Manchester United have eyed the Uruguayan a few times in the past.

And now, according to ESPN FC, Manchester United could go in with an official offer for the striker, with Cavani, himself, quite keen on the move. Cavani has expressed his displeasure at being played out of position several times in the past, leading to suggestions he could be on his way out of PSG with pretty much every upcoming transfer window.

However, while PSG have resisted offers for Cavani so far, they might consider selling the 28-year-old, even if doing a deal for Manchester United in January might be difficult. The likely scenario remains a summer transfer, which in turn will lead to several questions, as Cavani will be 29 by then.

Bringing in a lethal striker in his late 20s from the French league did not work out so well for Manchester United the first time around, after Radamel Falcao failed to find form at Old Trafford.

While Anthony Martial looks like being a brilliant buy, the Frenchman still has his best years ahead of him, while the same cannot be said of Cavani.

Paying big bucks -- and it will take a big bid for PSG to sell -- will be a risk for Manchester United, but then considering their severe lack of bite up front and paucity of quality central strikers in the market, it might be a risk worth taking, especially considering the financial resources the English club have at their disposal.