Manchester United discuss moves over £40m and £80m stars after Mount

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Manchester United have held ‘detailed’ talks with Atalanta’s Rasmus Holund and Eintracht Frankfurt’s Randal Kolo Muani with the Dane reportedly the more likely addition for the Premier League giants at this stage.

With Napoli determined to retain Victor Osimhen, and a deal for Harry Kane relying upon Daniel Levy letting his Tottenham talisman join a direct top-flight rival, Erik ten Hag has no real choice but to cast his net a little wider in pursuit of a striker capable of taking his Red Devils side to another level.

Neither Rasmus Hojlund nor Randal Kolo Muani possess Osimhen or Kane’s proven track record. But they more than make up for that with their seemingly unlimited potential.

The Athletic report that John Murtough, Manchester United’s director of football, is ‘stepping up’ the club’s pursuit of their top targets. With Champions League football secured, United can now move ahead with their transfer plans.

Personal terms have been agreed with Chelsea’s Mason Mount (The Guardian). And, with an athletic, attack-minded ‘number eight’ on the way, focus is quickly turning to a number nine.

Manchester United look for new striker

Murtough, the report adds, has already spoken to Atalanta and Eintracht Frankfurt on numerous occasions. Hojlund is seen as the more likely addition than the £80 million-rated Kolo Muani, at this stage; the France international admitting earlier in the week that he was expecting to stay at the 2022 Europa League champions.

20-year-old Hojlund has 18 goals for club and country in 2022/23.

Often likened to Manchester City superstar Erling Haaland due to his Scandinavian roots, his almost identical surname and his ruthless finishing ability; Hojlund even marked his international bow with a hat-trick against Finland in March.

The former Sturm Graz starlet is a self-professed Manchester United supporter too. There may be doubts over whether he is ready to lead the line for a club with United’s ambitions and stature, though there is still a chance that Hojlund would arrive alongside a more experienced striker with Ten Hag keen to bring in a younger option to learn from a Kane or an Osimhen (Daily Mail).

Atalanta value Hojlund at around £40 million, The Times add, while the MEN report Erik ten Hag has held ‘multiple video calls’ with the Danish striker.