Man Utd ‘agree terms’ with €70m striker target as Ten Hag eyes Rashford partner; PSG still in the race

Harry Watkinson
Man Utd linked Atalanta striker Rasmus Hojlund
Rasmus Hojlund is heading to Manchester to join United.

Manchester United have ‘agreed preliminary personal terms’ with Atalanta centre-forward Rasmus Hojlund, according to reports.

Erik ten Hag has identified the 20-year-old as his top striker transfer target as he looks to bring in support for Marcus Rashford.

Rashford enjoyed a tremendous 2022/23 campaign, netting 30 goals in all competitions. If Man Utd want to become serial title contenders again, he could certainly do with some quality alongside him.

Ten Hag thinks Hojlund is the perfect man for the job. The Denmark international scored nine goals in 32 Serie A appearances last term and is only expected to get better as he gains experience.

Now, it seems Man Utd have taken a huge leap forward in getting a deal done for the talented young striker.

This is according to reputed transfer journalist David Ornstein. Writing for the Athletic, he claims that Man Utd have ‘agreed preliminary personal terms’ with Hojlund.

There is a gap between the Red Devil’s and Atalanta’s valuation of the forward. They have ‘already spoken to the Italian club’ over a deal, though.

Ornstein adds that Hojlund has ‘asked to leave Atalanta’ amid the interest from Man Utd. Paris Saint-Germain are also in the race for him, so they could try and outbid them.

Atalanta have previously placed a €100m (approx. £85.5m) price tag on the Dane. Previous reports have suggested they could accept as little as €70m (approx. £60m) with €10m in add-ons.

 

Both Man Utd and PSG will be looking to further reduce that amount. While both teams remain in contention to sign Hojlund, these latest reports suggest Man Utd are in the lead.

This is great news for Ten Hag, whose priority, as mentioned, is desperate to bring in a quality striker.

This comes after Man Utd have already signed Mason Mount from Chelsea and they are very close to finalising a deal for Inter Milan goalkeeper Andre Onana.

Ten Hag has had a number of striker options on his radar throughout the summer. Harry Kane was initially his top target, but Bayern Munich are the only team still pushing to sign him now.

Eintracht Frankfurt’s Randal Kolo Muani remains a potential option. Hojlund is definitely Man Utd’s top target, though, as evidenced by Ornstein’s report.

With that in mind, it will be interesting to see how much the Red Devils offer in their opening bid for the striker.

Atalanta will want to squeeze as much as they can out of the deal, but due to FFP, Man Utd will need to keep their transfer fees as low as possible this summer.

READ MORE: Forest plot £40m double Man Utd raid after loan for outcast who ‘p*ssed off’ Ten Hag is blocked