Major Man Utd blow as asking price for Ten Hag’s ‘favourite’ striker target rockets to £86m
According to reports, Man Utd have been told that Serie A outfit Atalanta want as much as £86m for 20-year-old forward Rasmus Hojlund.
The Red Devils have been linked with several strikers in recent weeks. It was initially understood that Tottenham standout Harry Kane is their preferred target but they have already ended their pursuit of the England international.
Earlier this week, it was reported that Man Utd have ‘pulled out’ of the race for Kane as the potential cost of a deal is ‘out of reach’. He is out of contract in 2024 but it has been indicated that he could cost as much as £100m this summer.
United will surely hope that Tottenham’s asking price for Kane decreases as the summer goes on, but chairman Daniel Levy is a renowned stern negotiator and he is likely going to be against his star player moving to a Premier League rival.
Hojlund has emerged as a potential alternative target in recent months. The Denmark international joined Atalanta last summer from Sturm Graz.
The talented forward enjoyed a dream debut season in Italy as he grabbed 16 goals and seven assists in his 42 appearances across all competitions.
The Daily Mail are now reporting that ‘Man Utd are increasingly likely to firm up their interest with a bid’ for Hojlund, who is also admired by Chelsea.
But ‘during a meeting earlier this week’, Atalanta ‘decided that they would demand closer to £86million (100m euro) for the 20-year-old who still has four years left on his contract’. The report adds.
‘United were hoping Hojlund would be closer to the £45m mark, especially for a player who has scored just nine league goals in 32 appearances but Atalanta regard that as derogatory.
‘They see huge potential in the Denmark international, who has scored five times in four games for his country, and would demand any talks start at a much higher figure.’
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A recent report from Spanish outlet Fichajes describes Hojlund as Erik ten Hag’s ‘favourite’ to strengthen United in attacking areas.
Their report claims United would be ‘willing to put 60 million euros on the table’ for Hojlund as this signing has been ‘ordered’ by Ten Hag.
It has also been reported that Ten Hag has had a ‘video call’ with Hojlund to discuss a move to Man Utd, but this has been denied by the player.
“There has been no video call,” Hojlund told Danish outlet Berlingske. “I can’t say anything about that.
“It’s a huge club, so I must have done something right if it says they want me. My goal is to reach the top shelf, and you can say that Manchester United is. So it will be huge.”
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