Manchester United set to secure Danish striker Rasmus Hojlund from Atalanta - report
- Rob Fleming
- 7 July 2023
Manchester United are gearing up to secure Rasmus Hojlund, the young Danish international, as their first-choice striker in the upcoming transfer window.
Manchester United are reportedly preparing to secure the services of Atalanta's Rasmus Hojlund, the talented Danish international, as their top striker for the upcoming transfer window.
According to The Telegraph, the club are determined to deliver coach Erik ten Hag his second major signing of the summer. While a proposed takeover hangs in the balance, United remain resolute in their efforts to strengthen the squad.
Operating within strict financial fair play constraints, the club believe they can acquire Hojlund for approximately £50 million this summer. However, the completion of the deal may be contingent upon the resolution of the Glazer family's ongoing sale process.
Hojlund, a 20-year-old prodigy, made an impressive breakthrough in Serie A with Atalanta, scoring nine goals in 32 league games. He is highly regarded for his immense potential and his ability to further develop as a player.
United faced arduous negotiations with Chelsea over a £60 million fee for new signing Mason Mount but have now shifted their focus to securing their remaining key positions. The club's options for strikers this transfer window were narrowed down to Hojlund and Randal Kolo Muani, the French international from Eintracht Frankfurt. Ten Hag has expressed a preference for Hojlund.
United's financial losses of £115.5 million in the previous year have imposed significant restrictions on Ten Hag's available resources this summer, intensifying the need for player sales. While a final decision on the takeover process was expected at this point, the Glazer siblings are still deliberating between their three takeover options.
Hojlund's price has soared, reflecting the scarcity of established goal-scoring talents in the market. Since making his debut for Copenhagen in the Danish Superliga in October 2020, he has played fewer than 100 senior club games. After his stint at Sturm Graz in the Austrian Bundesliga, he joined Atalanta last summer. Despite earning his first national team cap less than a year ago, Hojlund is undeniably a promising talent.
Meanwhile, reports suggest that United are exploring the possibility of selling one or more players, including Jadon Sancho, Eric Bailly, Fred, Alex Telles, Anthony Elanga, Harry Maguire, Scott McTominay, and Antony Martial, to ensure compliance with financial fair play regulations.
Although United had reportedly considered making a bid for Harry Kane, the current takeover situation renders it an unviable option due to the exorbitant price involved and Tottenham's reluctance to sell him to a Premier League rival.
