Manchester United are reportedly planning an opening bid of £51 million plus bonuses as they look to bring Atalanta striker Rasmus Hojlund to the Premier League this summer.
With a £40 million offer lodged for Chelsea’s Mason Mount earlier in the week, and another on it’s way for Rasmus Hojlund, no one could accuse Manchester United of dragging their feet in the transfer market this time around.
Despite the continued uncertainty surrounding the ownership situation, Erik ten Hag and co are pressing ahead with deals for two of their top targets. The Red Devils, Ben Jacobs reports, will return with another offer for Mount soon enough; personal terms between the two parties already agreed (Guardian).
Italian reporter Alfredo Pedulla, meanwhile, believes that United will test Atalanta’s resolve with an opening offer for 20-year-old Hojlund too. United are planning a bid of £51 million, plus bonuses.
La Dea are holding out for £60 million, but a compromise may be reached with Hojlund speaking openly about his interest in a move to Old Trafford.
He is, after all, a self-professed ‘huge Manchester United fan’.
Man United step up Rasmus Hojlund chase
“It is a great club,” Hojlund said this week. “I must have done something right if it is written that they would like me! My goal is to reach the highest level. And you could say that Manchester United is there (at the highest level).
“So it would be huge (to go there).”
According to The Athletic, United have already held ‘detailed talks’ with both Hojlund and Eintracht Frankfurt forward Randal Kolo Muani. The latter produced superior numbers in 2022/23 (23 goals and 17 assists) but will cost closer to £100 million.
A fee that would eat up much of Ten Hag’s budget in a summer in which reinforcements in midfield, in goal and potentially at centre-half are also required.
Hojlund scored 19 goals in 28 starts for club and country last term. The former Sturm Graz starlet, however, dismisses claims that he held talks with Ten Hag over a video call recently.
“There was no call,” he adds, via MRE.
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