Manchester United have reportedly held detailed talks over signing Atalanta striker Rasmus Hojlund, who could cost them €60 million this summer.
According to The Athletic, Manchester United have shortlisted Atalanta forward Rasmus Hojlund as a more feasible alternative to Harry Kane in their ongoing striker search this summer.
Despite securing a third-place finish in the Premier League and a return to the Champions League, Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag will be concerned with his team’s goalscoring woes.
The Red Devils were the lowest scorers among teams that qualified for Europe despite creating many chances, with only talisman Marcus Rashford reaching double-digit goals in the league. The Dutchman has talked about the need to add another elite goal-scorer to his team.
As such, the Red Devils are expected to invest heavily in a new No. 9 during the next transfer window, with there currently no suitable options to fill that role at Old Trafford – as Anthony Martial struggles to remain fit throughout the entire season and could even be offloaded in this off-season if a suitable offer arrives on the table, while Burnley loanee Wout Weghorst is unlikely to be retained permanently beyond his loan spell.
Tottenham’s record scorer, Harry Kane, is tipped to be the club’s preferred choice. However, according to recent reports, Spurs have no interest in selling their star striker to one of their Premier League rivals, forcing the Red Devils to broaden their radar. That is why the club have identified emerging talent Rasmus Hojlund of Atalanta as their preferred alternative option. It’s easy to see why United are so enamoured with the star.
The 20-year-old Denmark international has recorded an impressive 15 goals and seven assists in 41 appearances for Atalanta this season, having only moved to Italy from Austrian side Sturm Graz last year. He has also scored five goals in two international games during Euro 2024 qualifying in March, including a hat-trick in a 3-1 victory over Finland.
Eintracht Frankfurt’s Randal Kolo Muani is also on Manchester United’s radar. Out of the two, Hojlund is viewed as a more attainable target at this stage. The report also adds that football director John Murtough has spoken to Atalanta regarding buying the starlet this summer, with the Italian outfit set to demand a hefty €60 million fee to part company with their prized asset.
Incidentally, Hojlund has signed up with the SEG agency in anticipation of a move in the near future. United boss Erik ten Hag is also represented by the same agency and has even held multiple video calls with the Atalanta striker in order to convince him about his sporting project at Old Trafford.
While far from the finished product, Hojlund’s blistering pace, instinctive finishing and impressive goals-per-game ratio make him a coveted talent, a potentially enticing addition to Ten Hag’s upwardly mobile United outfit.
Also, if Ten Hag decides to buy both an experienced and a young and upcoming striker in this window, Hojlund fits that bill perfectly and could be signed alongside Kane. It would be interesting to see if the Red Devils can get their hands on Hojlund this summer before his value skyrockets in the coming months.
