Manchester United have tabled their first bid for Rasmus Hojlund as they look to find a compromise below Atalanta’s hefty £86m asking price, but are likely to see their opening offer rejected.
The Red Devils have identified the Danish striker as the long-term solution to their problems at no.9, which has seen Wout Weghorst come and go in the last six months and a succession of veteran strikers lead the line.
The likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Odeon Ighalo, Cristiano Ronaldo and Edinson Cavani have all been options at Old Trafford in recent seasons, but with Ten Hag keen to build on last season’s Carabao Cup success, they are looking for a younger alternative, with currently only Anthony Martial on their books as a recognised striker option.
Despite having already spent £100m on the arrivals of midfielder Mason Mount and Inter Milan shot-stopper Andre Onana, they are ready to offer a hefty amount for Hojlund, who scored 9 times in his first Serie A campaign after arriving in Bergamo from Austrian side Sturm Gratz.
To this end, Fabrizio Romano reports that Ten Hag’s side have sent a first verbal proposal of 50m euros plus a further potential 10m euros in add ons, taking the total to 60m euros (£51.3m).
However, this is unlikely to be accepted, with Atalanta holding out for in excess of 70m euros for their star man, and closer towards the 100m euros that they quoted amid hopes that they can drive up the price thanks to interest from Paris Saint Germain.
The Red Devils are also looking to bring fellow Serie A talent Sofyan Amrabat to northwest England, but any move for the Moroccan will likely occur after settling on a new striker.
