Man United are hopeful of securing Rasmus Hojlund deal BEFORE the start of the Premier League season, as discussions continue after £42m opening bid - as PSG 'join the race for Atalanta hotshot'
Manchester United are hopeful of signing Ramus Hojlund before they kick off the new season in 17 days’ time.
United are trying to thrash out a deal with Atalanta for Hojlund after submitting an opening bid of £42million plus £8.5m in add-ons for the Denmark striker.
Manager Erik ten Hag retains an interest in Eintracht Frankfurt’s Randal Kolo Muani and Mohammed Kudus of Ajax if United are unable to sign Hojlund below their £60m ceiling.
But the club are optimistic they will agree terms with Atalanta in time for Hojlund to move to Old Trafford before the opening game at home to Wolves on August 14.
United continue to distance themselves from a move for Tottenham’s Harry Kane due to the England captain’s £100m price tag and age, even though Ten Hag knows that Kane would come with a guarantee of goals in the Premier League.
Privately, United acknowledge that there is a greater risk attached to Hojlund who only scored nine goals for Atalanta in Serie A last season.
They know that the 20-year-old Dane isn’t the finished article and will take longer to adapt to the English game. It may even be that Marcus Rashford starts the season at centre-forward if Anthony Martial hasn’t recovered from injury.
But United are confident in Ten Hag’s ability to improve Hojlund and hone him for the Premier League.
After his side were beaten 2-0 by Real Madrid at the NRG Stadium in Houston, Ten Hag agreed that it underlined the need to sign a new striker as soon as possible.
‘Absolutely,’ said the Dutchman. ‘We created some very good chances but we have to be more clinical and score goals from those situations.
‘I think we need more players capable to be one-on-one. It was Rashford, Scott McTominay and (Alejandro) Garnacho. You have to score.
‘It's
Read on m.allfootballapp.com
