The manager of a striker Man Utd have made a formal approach for has admitted he’ll be powerless to prevent a summer transfer – providing a “huge” bid is tabled.
Signing an elite calibre centre-forward is Man Utd’s top priority this summer. Marcus Rashford has been nothing short of sensational since the World Cup, though he’s expected to revert to a left wing role once the new face arrives.Ten Hag’s out-and-out striking options at present are Anthony Martial and Wout Weghorst. However, Martial is believed to have been put up for sale and Weghorst has not done enough to earn a permanent move.
The veteran Dutchman could be in line for a return to Besiktas where he spent the first half of the season on loan. Weghorst has given his blessing to returning in discussions with the Turkish side’s officials, according to Spor Arena.On the subject of who’ll lead the line at Old Trafford next season, two players have risen to the top of Ten Hag’s shortlist – Harry Kane and Victor Osimhen.
The latest on Osimhen suggests he’d favour a move to England over elsewhere in continental Europe, such as Paris. Kane, meanwhile, could be in line for a £300,000-a-week salary if joining United, per the Sun.
However, neither Napoli or Tottenham actually want to sell their star strikers. In the event both players elude Ten Hag, numerous back-up options are known to be on their radar.Joining the likes of Randal Kolo Muani, Goncalo Ramos and Mohammed Kudus in United’s sights is Atalanta hitman, Rasmus Hojlund.Danish outlet BT recently reported United had submitted an official ‘letter of interest’ regarding Hojlund. The Manchester Evening News are another who’ve put United in the frame if Atalanta cash in this summer.The Serie A side would prefer to retain a player who’s dubbed the ‘new Erling Haaland’ by the MEN. Hojlund hit the headlines during the last international break when scoring five goals in two games for Denmark.
Aged just 20, Hojlund is developing at a rapid rate. However, according to Atalanta boss, Gian Piero Gasperini, Hojlund may soon take his talents elsewhere. Atalanta won’t refuse big Hojlund bidVia the MEN, Gasperini admitted it would be “impossible” for Atalanta to hold out if “huge” bids for Hojlund are tabled this summer.In effect, any clubs hoping to sign Hojlund now know they can succeed – so long as they stump up the cash, of course.“I haven’t seen so many strikers as good as Hojlund at 20,” said Gasperini. “He can improve a lot, he’s great.“Top European clubs are always attentive to this kind of top talents. There could be some huge bids for him that would be impossible to reject for us.”.
On the subject of how big of a bid is required, the Daily Mail previously cited a £60m valuation when discussing Hojlund’s future.
United aren’t the only side who’ve liked what they’ve seen from Hojlund this term. Real Madrid are another, though Karim Benzema is understood to have recently agreed a one-year extension, thus making a move to the Bernabeu for Hojlund unlikely.
Elsewhere, aside from Man Utd, BT listed Hojlund’s other admirers as being Arsenal, Chelsea, Juventus, AC Milan, Napoli, Barcelona and Bayern Munich.
From a purely financial perspective, Man Utd can blow all of those sides away in the market. Chelsea’s gargantuan £550m-plus outlay over the last two windows will limit their spending power due to Financial Fair Play regulations moving forward.
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