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Manchester United are ‘courting’ Bayern Munich striker Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting ‘intensively’ as they try to secure him as a replacement for Cristiano Ronaldo.

That’s according to Sky Sports Germany, who say Manchester United have already made a signing for the 33-year-old forward.

They explain that Erik ten Hag and co are ‘still looking’ for a replacement for Ronaldo and are ‘very interested’ in a deal for Choupo-Moting, especially in the January transfer window.

His contract is set to expire in the summer so he could be available on the cheap this month, but Bayern Munich want to keep him, and talks are already underway about an extension.

In fact, Bayern sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic and technical director Marco Neppe met with the striker’s agent Roger Wittmann and Choupo-Moting’s father Just Moting for lunch yesterday to hold a ‘first meeting’ over a contract renewal.

They exchanged ‘expectations for further cooperation’ but Choupo-Moting’s camp made it clear that he no longer wants to settle for a back up role and wants a ‘higher salary’ if he is to renew.

Relations between both parties are good for now and Bayern have an ‘advantage’ over Manchester United because the player ‘feels very much at home’ in Munich.

The German giants want to sign a top striker in the summer, though, meaning an agreement could prove difficult to find and meaning United will likely retain a chance at a deal throughout this month.