Manchester United are reportedly closing in on a January transfer for Stade Rennais' Martin Terrier, who is considered to be one of Ligue 1’s most prolific forwards. 

United are making progress under Erik ten Hag, albeit not the finished article, and there is an overarching feeling within the club that a continuation of newfound cohesion and a further calculated signing could lift the club to the upper echelon of European outfits.

There is still work to be done, and the rancorous exit of Cristiano Ronaldo, terminating his contract after an impassioned interview with Piers Morgan, has left a hole in the offensive third.

And now, according to Media Foot, Ten Hag has been in contact with the player’s representatives, with the club delving into the possibility of striking a reported £34m deal.

He's “a-la Thierry Henry”

The Red Devils, after finishing sixth in the Premier League last term, have made a promising start to life under their Dutch manager and sit in fifth place after 15 matches, just one point behind fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur and with a game in hand.

A talisman would certainly go a long way, and while the Theatre of Dreams is host to offensive prowess aplenty, there is something missing, something that could boost the ascension back to a place at the very front of the pack.

Terrier has been in fine form this season, scoring 11 goals and serving four assists from just 20 appearances, including three in six in the Europa League.

And last year in Ligue 1, the 25-year-old’s 21 strikes were bettered only by Wissam Ben Yedder and the imperious Kylian Mbappe

There is a clear indication that the gem would arrive at Old Trafford with an abundance of goals in tow, slotting into the fold without seam. 

With his dynamism allowing him to flourish both as a central striker and as an inside forward, cutting in from the left flank, Terrier bears eye-catching semblance to one Thierry Henry, whose 228 goals and 103 in 376 appearances for Arsenal sit in tandem with two Premier League trophies and three FA Cup’s - left his iconic status etched perpetually into English footballing lore.

Illustrating the similarity between the two players, European football writer Tim Williams once said this 

“He’s a very quick, left-sided right-footed attacking player whose trademark is coming in off the left flank and whipping shots in, a-la Thierry Henry.

“Looking at his age and the phenomenal season he had last season, he will probably think that if he is ever going to make a big move to the Premier League, it’s probably going to be now or never.”

United’s prolonged intrigue in the player also bodes well for the prospect of an eventual bid, with 90min reporting in early November that the outfit had sent scouts to observe his match performance.

Time will tell whether a move comes to fruition, but with such sustained stellar showings, Terrier would certainly be a boost to an ambitious United side's exploits.

Therefore, Old Trafford chief John Murtough must look to sign the Frenchman when the transfer window reopens for business on January 1st.