Manchester United are eyeing a move for Rasmus Hojlund and talks with the player have been held already.
The MEN report Erik ten Hag has held talks with Rasmus Hojlund, with The Athletic claiming Manchester United have been in touch with Atalanta.
The Times has linked Hojlund with a £40 million move, although Atalanta could push for more for the exciting Danish international.
Hojlund, 20, has scored 18 goals in all competitions for club and country this season.
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Early Hojlund deal makes sense
News of an injury to Anthony Martial broke hours after The Mail reported Wout Weghorst will not be re-signed this season.
This served to highlight the farcical situation Manchester United are dealing with in attack. One striker just won’t cut it.
The club’s top option is Tottenham Hotspur forward Harry Kane, however, this deal is going to be extremely difficult to pull off.
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A move for Kane could take all summer. Spurs are likely to dig in, and so could Kane. Manchester United can’t afford for it to drag on and overshadow the club’s window.
But if a deal for Rasmus Hojlund is struck early, very early, then it really takes the pressure off.
Hojlund won’t be able to carry United’s season on his back, there will need to be a more senior striker added. But it is important to get one of the two necessary signings done early.
Nobody wants to see United rocking up for pre-season with Anthony Martial as the best/only option, like last season improbably turned out.
An early deal for Hojlund will allow United time to amass funds from player sales, and build up a warchest to spend later in the window on a striker.
Kolo Muani, Victor Osimhen and Goncalo Ramos are all alternatives in addition to Kane, while United could double down on another young prospect like Hojlund to split the load.
United appear to be approaching this window in determined fashion, with a move for Mason Mount also lined up. An early deal for Hojlund would be a very good way to start solving the substantial striking problem.