According to Italian writer Fabrizio Romano in an exclusive interview with GIVEMESPORT, Erik ten Hag and his entourage ‘appreciate’ Rasmus Hojlund, who is a target for Manchester United.
With Hojlund firmly in his possible plans, the Dutchman has a center-forward at the top of his priority list for the upcoming months.
Rasmus Hojlund: Manchester United transfer news
The 20-year-old, who scored nine goals and added two assists for Atalanta in the 2022–23 season, is being watched by Chelsea and Manchester United, according FBref.
Hojlund, whose £10,000 weekly contract has four years left, has also scored six of his country’s past seven goals as he starts to resemble his Scandinavian friend Erling Haaland’s goal-scoring form.
The youthful prodigy has shown he is at ease in front of goal, so a high-profile move beckons, but it is unclear whether United would accept that chance.
The risk is in his price, which The Daily Mail reports the Bergamo club has assessed at £86 million even if Romano himself suggested in his CaughtOffside blog that it may be closer to €70 million (£60 million).
Ten Hag may need to consider his options before making a serious offer because United would understandably have to bear a significant financial burden from the potential expenditure this summer.
In a recent article for GIVEMESPORT, journalist Steve Bates acknowledged that Ten Hag would try to trade the talented Amad Diallo in an effort to lower Hojlund’s price a little bit.
What did Fabrizio Romano have to say about Rasmus Hojlund and Manchester United?
Romano added that the 20-year-old is a player that United and Chelsea value, despite the fact that there have been no actual discussions as of yet.
“[He’s] a player they [Chelsea] appreciate,” he remarked. Since Manchester United is the same, both teams are highly knowledgeable about Rasmus Hojlund’s condition, although there hasn’t yet been a formal negotiation with Atalanta.
Who else would Manchester United be able to sign as a center-forward?
There are other strikers who have caught the attention of the Old Trafford staff in addition to the Dane, who Serie A journalist Euan Burns described as “ridiculous fun,” however other strikers might have the upper hand given Hojlund’s inexperience.
Nigerian shooter Victor Osimhen of Napoli is one of them. According to the Italian publication Gazzetta dello Sport, Osimhen is still a target for United due to his impressive 26-goal Serie A season.
Despite all the commotion, Harry Kane, who United has had their eye on for some time, won’t be moving to Old Trafford.
According to The Guardian, the Manchester-based team has withdrawn its interest in Tottenham’s talisman and has left the door open for Real Madrid because Daniel Levy reportedly has no desire to transfer to a Premier League competitor.
Goncalo Ramos, who scored three goals in the World Cup and was dubbed “remarkable” by Gary Lineker, might also be a great, if pricey, addition to the Red Devils’ attack.
According to Rudy Galetti, a journalist, Ten Hag’s’main objective for the attack’ is the seven-cap Portugal international, according to GIVEMESPORT.
Ten Hag may decide to choose someone other than Hojlund to captain their forward line going forward because Hojlund is far from being the polished product.
Hojlund, though, has the potential to become United’s star player in the long run, so if the Dutchman is willing to be patient and not demand a tonne of goals from the teenager in the short term, it would be a worthwhile signing.