Marcus Thuram’s France lost the World Cup final to Argentina (Photo by Ulrik Pedersen/Defodi Images via Getty Images)

Manchester United are reportedly keeping tabs on 2022 World Cup star Marcus Thuram but will likely not sign the striker until the summer.

Thuram was part of the France squad that reached the final in Qatar and has since been linked with a move to United as well as Arsenal and Liverpool.

The Borussia Monchengladbach striker’s deal runs until the end of the season and foreign clubs can now offer him a pre-contract agreement ahead of a summer move.

United are looking for a new centre-forward following the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo and Thuram is one of several options they’re exploring according to The Mail.

The 25-year-old has 13 goals and four assists in 17 appearances this season, but while he could be available for cut-price deal in January, the Red Devils won’t be moving for him this month.

Having spent a whopping £213million last summer, Erik ten Hag has admitted United will not be able to splash much, if any cash, this transfer window.

‘It’s always difficult. Strikers are expensive, especially in the winter,’ the manager said ahead of United’s 1-0 win over Wolves on New Year’s Eve.

Vincent Aboubakar scored a sensational late winner against Brazil at the World Cup (Photo by Tnani Badreddine/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)

‘But you have to set the limits high. We’re looking for it. We need to be creative and do everything we have in our power to get the right players in, who are fitting in the balance.

‘It’s about timing and availability. It’s about so many circumstances playing a role in that. It’s a long period and the window hasn’t even started.’

As a result, it is said that United are looking at short-term options to fill the void up top, similar to the way Odion Ighalo was signed on loan from Shanghai Shenhua in January 2020.

Barcelona forward Memphis Depay has been touted to make a sensational return to Old Trafford, while Cameroon’s World Cup hero Vincent Aboubakar has also been linked.

In an ironic twist, the 30-year-old plays for Al-Nassr but the arrival of Ronaldo at the Saudi Arabian club could make him surplus to requirements and available for loan.

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The 25-year-old is out of contract at the end of the season.