Man Utd have £78million transfer alternative to Rasmus Hojlund as ‘fears’ over deal grow

Written by on July 20, 2023

Man Utd have £78million transfer alternative to Rasmus Hojlund as ‘fears’ over deal grow

Manchester United have been chasing Atalanta striker Rasmus Hojlund in a bid to boost Erik ten Hag’s attacking options but could now move for Randal Kolo Muani instead

Manchester United have all but secured the services of Andre Onana and are now shifting their focus towards bolstering their attacking options.

While Rasmus Hojlund is their primary target, negotiations have hit a roadblock due to Atalanta’s steep asking price. As a result, United are also exploring alternative options, including a potential move for Randal Kolo Muani from Eintracht Frankfurt.

The Red Devils are on the verge of completing their second signing of the summer transfer window, with the imminent arrival of Onana.

The Inter Milan goalkeeper is set to undergo a medical before finalizing his £43 million move to Old Trafford and United are now eager to strengthen their attacking lineup, reports the Mirror.

Hojlund has emerged as the club’s number one target for the striker role. The 20-year-old Denmark international has already agreed to personal terms and is keen to make the switch to United.

However, negotiations with Atalanta have hit a snag, with the Italian club demanding €70 million (£60 million) plus add-ons for Hojlund, a valuation that ESPN say United consider excessive for a young player with just one season of Serie A experience.

Hojlund had an impressive debut season with Atalanta, contributing 10 goals and four assists in 34 appearances across all competitions. He has also showcased his talent on the international stage, scoring six goals in as many games and is under contract until June 2027.

Despite their pursuit of Hojlund, United are simultaneously working on a contingency plan. They have set their sights on Kolo Muani, who currently plies his trade at Eintracht Frankfurt.

The 24-year-old striker had a remarkable season, netting 23 goals for the German team and catching the attention of scouts while representing France at the recent World Cup in Qatar. Kolo Muani, like Hojlund, is tied down to a long-term contract, which runs until June 2027.

Earlier this year, Frankfurt valued him at £78 million. However, the player has expressed his desire to join a bigger club in the future, potentially opening the door for a move to United.

In an interview with L’Equipe in March, Kolo Muani stated: “We talk about it a lot already, but I try to be focused on my club. We continue our performances, and we will see this summer.

“Afterwards, I always dreamed of playing in big clubs. I thought I was going to need some time to adapt, maybe a year. But everything exploded. Either way, I’m ready for any challenge.”

Meanhwhile, Erik ten Hag is open to the idea of offloading Anthony Martial this summer, which would create further opportunities for incoming strikers. However, Marcus Rashford has committed his future to the club by signing a new five-year contract worth a staggering £400,000 per week.

This article was crafted with the help of AI tools, which speed up Dailystar.co.uk ’s editorial research. A content editor reviewed this content before it was published. You can report any errors to readercomplaints@reachplc.com .


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