Man Utd refuse to budge on Hojlund transfer fee as two alternatives considered

24 July 2023 , 10:45

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Man Utd refuse to budge on Hojlund transfer fee as two alternatives considered

Manchester United are not willing to splash out more than £60million on Rasmus Hojlund this summer.

Erik ten Hag is desperate to sign a centre forward before the end of the window and Hojlund has been lined up as a priority target for that position. The Denmark international scored 10 times in 34 appearances for Atalanta last season and has been linked with a move away this summer.

However, after spending over £100m on Mason Mount and Andre Onana, United do not want to spend big on Hojlund, who has had just three years in senior football. Atalanta value the forward at around £86m, but the Red Devils are hoping to secure a deal for less than £60m.

United are having to battle with tight financial constraints governing spending after not competing in the Champions League last season. Ten Hag was initially handed a modest £120m summer transfer budget, but it seems the Red Devils will go over that amount - especially if they land Hojlund.

Hojlund, who joined Atalanta for just £15m last summer, is one of the most highly-rated youngsters in Europe having impressed in Serie A last term. United see him as a long-term solution following the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo in January, while Wout Weghorst has returned to Burnley following the expiration of his six-month loan spell.

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It is also understood that the ex-Copenhagen striker has given the green light on a move to Old Trafford and would be keen to work with Ten Hag. Personal terms are not expected to be a problem if United can agree a deal with Atalanta as Hojlund has already made it perfectly clear he wants the move.

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Rasmus Hojlund scored 10 times for Atalanta last season (Getty Images)

United are now hopeful of negotiating a fee with the Serie A side for Hojlund's services. This wouldn't be the first time the Red Devils have thrashed out a cheaper price for a player after they knocked down Inter Milan's asking price for Onana earlier in the transfer window - eventually signing him for £45m.

But Hojlund isn't the only forward United are looking at this summer. The Red Devils are thought to be holding 'concurrent talks' with Eintracht Frankfurt over Randal Kolo Muani. The 24-year-old notched an impressive 23 goals in 46 matches in all competitions for the Bundesliga outfit in 2022/23.

Meanwhile, United are also interested in Ajax's Mohammed Kudus. Ten Hag worked with the Ghanaian during his time in Amsterdam and would be keen to reunite with the forward, who has just had his most efficient season in the Netherlands with 18 goals in 42 matches.

Kieran King