Manchester United are reportedly unwilling to fork out more than £60 million on Rasmus Hojlund and will move on to other avenues if Atalanta refuses to drop their asking price.
According to The Times, Manchester United will drop their interest in Rasmus Hojlund if Atalanta demand more than £60 million for the Danish centre-forward, with Eintracht Frankfurt’s Randal Kolo Muani among the alternatives reported to be on their radar.
The Red Devils have been desperate to sign a striker since early last season, with Wout Weghorst joining the club on loan in January to plug a hole in Erik ten Hag’s squad temporarily. Harry Kane and Victor Osimhen were both previously cited as targets, though their exorbitant price tags have proven unrealistic.
They have since turned their attention to highly-rated Atalanta forward Rasmus Hojlund. The 20-year-old Danish international, who has been branded one of the best-emerging talents in Europe, scored 20 goals in 47 games for club and country last season and would fit in quite well in Erik ten Hag’s system at Manchester United.
Hojlund has already agreed personal terms with Manchester United over a move to Old Trafford, with the Red Devils expected to submit their first official bid in the coming days. But it is almost certainly doomed to fail.
Manchester United have been frustrated in their attempts to negotiate a transfer fee with Atalanta, who value the 20-year-old at £86.5 million despite only one season in Europe’s top-five leagues.
Manchester United consider the asking price to be steep. But they have continued talks with the Serie A club in the hope that a compromise can be reached. The Times says United are only willing to spend up to £60 million for Hojlund, which falls well short of Atlanta’s asking price, and walk away from a deal if Atalanta refuses to lower it. Kolo Mauni, the Frankfurt striker, is an alternative target, but the Frenchman could cost up to £70 million as well.
Financial Fair Play restrictions mean United have just a £120 million budget to spend this summer. Almost £100 million of that has been spent on the signings of Andre Onana and Mason Mount, leaving the club with leeway to work with.
Manchester United hope to raise around £40 million from the sales of Dean Henderson and Amad Diallo to Nottingham Forest, while Anthony Elanga has been linked with a move to Goodison Park.
Hojlund is also attracting concrete interest from Paris Saint-Germain, who want him to boost their forward line amidst their bitter transfer saga with Kylian Mbappe. However, the goalscorer prioritises an Old Trafford move ahead of the Parc des Princes. This week should be pivotal for the future of the Dane, with Atalanta already bringing in a replacement in the form of Villarreal’s 21-year-old striker El Bilal-Toure.
