Manchester United linked striker pushed to sign for CSKA Moscow

Levante’s in-demand forward Etta Eyong has become the centre of a tug-of-war between the Spanish club’s board and the player himself after CSKA Moscow tabled a bid in excess of €30 million (£25.5 million) for the striker, according to reports first carried by centredevils.

Eyong, who swapped Villarreal for Levante last September, has emerged as one of La Liga’s breakout talents this season, combining goals and assists at a rate that has attracted scouts from across Europe. Arsenal, Everton and Manchester United have all dispatched representatives to monitor the 24-year-old, while several of Spain’s heavyweight clubs have also added him to their summer shortlists.

Despite the mounting Premier League interest, Levante are understood to be pressing the Cameroon-born forward to accept the lucrative Russian offer, a move that would shatter the club’s transfer-record income. Sources close to the player indicate Eyong has no intention of moving to the Russian capital and would prefer to remain in Western Europe, with his representatives already exploring options that would allow him to join a top-tier club in Spain, England or Germany.

The stand-off escalated on Saturday when Levante surprisingly left Eyong out of the squad for the derby against Villarreal, a decision interpreted by many as a tactical message from the hierarchy. The omission has intensified speculation that the Segunda División side are prepared to force through the CSKA deal before the summer window opens, even if it risks unsettling their star asset.

For Manchester United, who first scouted Eyong last year, the striker is viewed as a long-term solution at centre-forward, offering the pace, physicality and technical versatility manager Erik ten Hag is believed to want in a rebuilt attack. United’s recruitment team have continued to track the forward’s development and could firm up their interest once the market reopens, though they will face competition from domestic rivals and Spain’s elite.

With Levante determined to cash in and Eyong equally determined to wait for a move that aligns with his career ambitions, the next few weeks could prove pivotal. Where the forward ultimately lands may not only shape his own trajectory but also trigger a domino effect across European attacking options ahead of next season.