Man Utd ‘willing to do anything’ to sign striker as second bid is rejected; ‘contact’ alternative in USA
Man Utd are ready ‘to do anything’ in order to sign Atalanta forward Rasmus Hojlund this summer, according to reports in Italy.
The Red Devils are desperate to sign a new striker this summer with Erik ten Hag still looking for a permanent replacement for Cristiano Ronaldo, who left Old Trafford at the end of November after a controversial interview with Piers Morgan.
Man Utd did bring in Wout Weghorst on loan in January until the end of last season but the Netherlands international failed to leave a lasting impression and has now returned to Burnley.
Numerous strikers have been linked with a move to Old Trafford with the Red Devils’ priority thought to be Tottenham’s Harry Kane before the window opened.
However, Man Utd decided to end their interest last month when it became clear Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy had no intention of negotiating his departure for a reasonable fee.
That has seen speculation suggesting Napoli’s Victor Osimhen, Benfica’s Goncalo Ramos, Eintracht Frankfurt’s Randal Kolo Muani and Porto’s Mehdi Taremi are amongst the targets.
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The problem Man Utd have is their reported lack of funds with most of the above out of their price range but Atalanta’s Hojlund could be a possibility if they can get him for a reasonable fee.
Reports emerged over the weekend that the Premier League side had seen an opening offer of £30m rejected with Man Utd set to make a fresh offer of £40m (€46m).
However, Italian publication Corriere di Bergamo insist that Atalanta ‘will refuse this offer’ with the Serie A side still holding out for €60m for the Denmark international.
It now ‘seems inevitable’ that the 20-year-old will be sold this summer with the report adding that the €14m gap in valuation could be overcome ‘in a couple of Sundays’.
Man Utd ‘will not let go’ of this deal, despite Atalanta’s refusal to do business at a lower price, with the Red Devils ‘willing to do anything’ to secure the transfer.
If for any reason that didn’t work out, Man Utd could turn to Atlanta United forward Thiago Almada, with Argentinian sports journalist Bruno Gonzalez Garcia from the SeleccionArgentina podcast claiming the Red Devils and Man City have ‘consulted’ the Major League Soccer side over a potential transfer.
It isn’t made clear whether either of the Premier League sides will make an offer but he would be a cheap alternative to Hojlund at €22m.