Man Utd ‘boost’ as European club ‘agree’ to sign £26.5m replacement for Ten Hag’s top striker target | OneFootball

Man Utd target Rasmus Hojlund during a Serie A match.

According to reports, Serie A outfit Atalanta are set to sign a replacement for teenage striker Rasmus Hojlund, who is wanted by Man Utd and PSG.

Hojlund caught the attention of clubs around Europe ahead of this summer as he shone for Atalanta during his debut season for the Serie A side.

Following his move from Sturm Graz, he grabbed 10 goals and four assists in his first 34 appearances for Atalanta across all competitions.

Man Utd are looking to sign at least one new striker this summer following the departures of Cristiano Ronaldo and Wout Weghorst. They have been linked with Tottenham’s Harry Kane and Frankfurt’s Randal Kolo Muani but Hojlund would be a cheaper alternative.

United and PSG have both submitted bids for Hojlund but it is understood that the Premier League giants are leading the race to sign him at this stage.

Football Insider are now reporting that ‘United are ready to close the signing of Hojlund with talks accelerating after Atalanta agreed to sign El Bilal Toure’.

The 21-year-old grabbed seven goals and two assists during his debut season for La Liga side Almeria in 2022/23 and the report claims he has ‘started a medical with the Serie A club after the teams agreed a £26.5million deal’. Everton were interested in him but the player’s ‘desire’ is to play in Italy.

This is described as a ‘big boost’ for United. Atalanta ‘want’ £86m for Hojlund but the Red Devils have ‘made it clear that they will not pay more than £60m’.

Negotiations between United and Atalanta remain ongoing, though. Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano confirmed on Saturday morning that the Premier League club are “preparing a new attack” for the striker.

“Keep an eye on Rasmus Højlund in these final, crucial days of the week, because after the big verbal bid from Manchester United (€50m + €10m in add-ons) submitted a few days ago, by the end of the week – could be Saturday – Man United are preparing a new attack for the Rasmus Højlund deal,” Romano told Caught Offside.

“A new round of talks in which they will be very, very aggressive. That is the situation now. They know that PSG sent a bid to Atalanta but they also know that the player wants to go to Man United.

“Now it’s time to attack the situation again and try and reach agreement with Atalanta. So, Man United feel they have a match point in the Højlund story. This is a crucial moment.

“United are optimistic because Højlund is obsessed with the club, but now United have to show, in terms of money, they are obsessed with Rasmus Højlund. So, let’s see how it continues but the attack is ready on this deal.”