Manchester United in reported S$109 million deal for Atalanta striker Rasmus Hojlund

LONDON – Manchester United have reportedly agreed a deal worth an initial £64 million (S$109.5 million) to sign Atalanta striker Rasmus Hojlund.

The Denmark international will become the third major arrival at Old Trafford during the summer transfer window after the signings of Chelsea midfielder Mason Mount and Inter Milan goalkeeper Andre Onana.

United are understood to have agreed a fee of £64 million for Hojlund, with a further £8 million in add-ons. The 20-year-old is reported to have agreed terms on a five-year deal with the option of a further season.

Hojlund, who stands at 1.91m, joined Atalanta in August 2022 from Austrian club Sturm Graz for a reported €17 million (S$24.9 million). He scored nine goals in 32 appearances in the Serie A last season. He has also scored six goals in six games for Denmark.

Describing his player last season, Atalanta coach Gian Piero Gasperini said: “Hojlund has this spirit, energy, intensity, but also the technical quality that is just remarkable... He has very similar characteristics to (Erling) Haaland, not just his face. He is so quick, he’s under 11 seconds over 100m and that’s not even trying very hard.

“Considering his height, he has a low centre of gravity and can move his legs very fast... However, he has considerable room for growth. In certain situations, such as in the air, inside the penalty area or in the last pass, he has margins for growth.”

United manager Erik ten Hag was tight-lipped about the reports when asked about it on Saturday, ahead of Sunday’s friendly against Borussia Dortmund in Las Vegas.

“I can’t talk about the player who is still under contract (with) another club,” said the Dutchman.

Ten Hag said, however, that he hoped Mount and Onana would be joined by a new forward, as he tries to get United back in contention at the top of the table.

“With this squad, we built a foundation last season... now we have to find the right players to fit in and who can help to raise the bar. I think we succeeded with Andre Onana, we succeeded with Mason Mount and now we are looking for a striker,” he said.

The Red Devils finished third in the English Premier League but scored just 58 goals – 36 fewer than champions Manchester City.

Ten Hag also urged his English forward Marcus Rashford to step up his game.

Rashford, who prefers to play wide on the left, scored 17 goals in 35 Premier League appearances last season and had 30 goals from 56 matches in all competitions.

Said ten Hag: “For Rashy, we expect to raise the bar. He had a good season, but that doesn’t give guarantees for another great season. So everything has to be right.

“First, his base, his foundation, attitude, lifestyle, etc. Also to work on his game and work on the way he plays for himself but in the team.

“So what we are looking for is goals and Rashy, at this moment, he proved he has a very good goalscoring record. But also for him, he wants to make the next step and score more goals.”

Rashford could have stepped away from his boyhood club had ten Hag not taken over and afforded him more freedom on the pitch.

Asked if he had thought about leaving United before last season, Rashford told British media: “Before the manager came, maybe a little bit. But it’s football, it happens... He came to the club at the right time for me.”

Explaining what changed under the Dutchman, the 25-year-old said: “Freedom – we were just a little bit rigid in the past, sometimes you’re not enjoying your football and that was the case with me.

“Because of that, it influenced my performance and ultimately that’s how I am as a person; if I’m not happy, then it’s difficult for me to play my best football.”
AFP, REUTERS