Ole Gunnar Solskjaer 'reignites Man Utd's interest' in Jose Mourinho transfer target

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has given the green light for Man Utd to make a renewed attempt to sign Monaco star Pietro Pellegri.

United were keen on the forward's talents two years ago when he was at Italian side Genoa, after former boss Jose Mourinho identified him as a transfer target.

Pellegri's agent was involved in lengthy discussions with United representatives at the time, but opted on a switch to Monaco.

Key to his decision was concerns over first-team opportunities, with Pellegri believing a move to France would better aid his progress.

Monaco shelled out £21million to land his services - a huge sum considering Pellegri was just 16 at the time.

Now 19, Pellegri is still yet to force his way into Monaco's starting XI, but interest from other clubs has not gone cold.

According to Gianluca Di Marzio, Solskjaer is now looking to reignite United's interest in the frontman, as he continues his focus on signing young, fresh talent.

Pellegri has only managed a total of six appearances for Monaco as a substitute, three in each of the last two seasons.

But Solskjaer is aware of the promise the youngster offers for the future.

Perhaps more pertinent to United's interest is Odion Ighalo's current contract situation.

The Nigerian was signed as a temporary solution to United's striker crisis, and there were talks he could be set to earn a permanent deal.

However Ighalo's parent club Shanghai Shenhua continue to drive the price up, with their asking price now reported to be closer to the £30million mark, when original suggestions claimed they wanted around half that.

United are not keen on splashing out such a figure on a 30-year-old, particularly when he would be third or fourth choice when all their strikers are fit.

A move for Pellegri would instead represent an investment in the future, and would be handed more chances at Old Trafford than he's currently getting in France.

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