Fan complaints proved instrumental in getting Manchester United to drop their pursuit of Bologna striker Marko Arnautovic, but they have now turned towards Alvaro Morata of Atletico Madrid.
The Premier League fallen giants are looking for a centre-forward, also because Cristiano Ronaldo continues to push for the exit so he can play the Champions League.
Arnautovic was the subject of an offer worth circa €9m, which was rejected by Bologna.
Manchester United had been ready to increase the bid, but decided to turn to other targets in part due to the tension created by fan protests.
It would’ve been an unexpected transfer for Arnautovic, who returned to Serie A last summer after a couple of years in China.
Accusations of racist language resurfaced against the Austria international and further fuelled the backlash against this idea.
According to ESPN, Manchester United could now go for another striker who has been heavily linked with Juventus, specifically Morata of Atletico Madrid.
He spent the last two seasons on loan at Juve and talks are still going to make the move permanent, even if the odds are now extremely low.
Atleti want circa €35m to sell the Spain international centre-forward.