Fellow promoted sides Aston Villa and Norwich City are also believed to be keen on Maupay. Meanwhile, there is interest from France, Germany and Italy in the 22-year-old.
Yet in good news for the English trio Maupay apparently favours a move to the Premier League were he to leave Griffin Park. The Frenchman isn’t believed to be unhappy with the Bees, but is attracted by the prospect of playing in England’s top flight.
However, the asking price for Maupay will not please the Blades.
Villa enquired about signing the forward in January and were quoted £20m. With Maupay under contract until 2021, the Sheffield Star claims it would cost upwards of that to land him now.
This is something of an issue for United. A report from the Daily Mail says that manager Chris Wilder will be given a £20m transfer budget this summer.
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With several other positions being targeted for improvement, Wilder is unlikely to blow all his funds on one player. And £20m might not even be enough in any case.
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The same articles also say that Swansea City’s Oli McBurnie is being considered. According to The Sun (19/5, page: 63) McBurnie would be a cheaper option at £12m.
Unfortunately, the belief is that the Scotland international will opt to join Graham Potter at Brighton and Hove Albion. Potter was McBurnie’s boss at Swansea last season and has since taken charge at Brighton.
Meanwhile, Nottinghamshire Live reports that Middlesbrough top scorer Britt Assombalonga is another option. The Blades are unwilling to match the £15m Boro paid Nottingham Forest for Assombalonga two years ago, though.