Atalanta boss Gian Piero Gasperini has warned Manchester United that they may have to pay as much as £86.5million to sign striker Rasmus Hojlund this summer. The Red Devils had been priced out of deals for Harry Kane and Victor Osimhen, before turning their attention to the Danish sensation.
Erik ten Hag has been operating on a strict budget this summer, owing to Financial Fair Play concerns and the ongoing takeover confusion, while also spending to bring in the likes of Mason Mount and Andre Onana already.
The club’s next priority is to sign a striker to lessen the load on Marcus Rashford, with Hojlund seen as the top target if they can agree on a fee with Atalanta. Having already agreed personal terms with the 20-year-old, the last step is to reach a compromise with the Serie A side but have so far been unable to match their asking price.
United had been set a reported total budget of £120m before landing Mount and Onana for £60m and £47m respectively, meaning they will likely need to raise money through sales in order to fund a move for Hojlund – after Gasperini outlined the price tag he would place on his emerging talent.
In an interview with Sky Italy on their Speciale Calciomercato programme, Gasperini said: “I don’t know whether he’ll stay or leave — but I hope the club will value Hojlund around €80, 90 or 100million (£86.5m) fee. Rasmus is one of the best — if not the best — emerging talent in Europe as a striker
“Would another year here be good for him? I think so, then after that it’s difficult here too… He undoubtedly has great talent, but also great room for improvement. These things are visible in both senses, he must work to improve because he has the characteristics to become one of the strongest strikers in the world. I don’t know if he’s leaving, the market is unpredictable.”
Atalanta appear to be turning the heat on United, while Paris Saint-Germain have also been circling for Hojlund as Fabrizio Romano has claimed that the Ligue 1 champions have continuously been speaking to the player’s entourage in an attempt to hijack the deal.
The Red Devils are in desperate need of someone to lead the line, as Wout Weghorst has returned to his parent club Burnley following his loan spell, while Anthony Martial has failed to prove that he can be relied upon due to his injury record.
United are set to submit their first official offer to Atalanta for Hojlund, however, having previously floated the idea of several players including Mason Greenwood as part of a deal. Whether it meets the Italian outfit’s valuation of their striker remains to be seen.
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