03 June 2023 , 10:59
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Manchester United have been told they must pay £43million if they want to sign Atalanta striker Rasmus Hojlund – who Napoli are monitoring as a possible replacement for Victor Osimhen.
The Denmark international has impressed in his debut season in Bergamo having joined from Sturm Graz last summer. Despite a host of clubs tracking his progress, United and Real Madrid were said to be the most advanced in their interest.
Hojlund is on a six-man striker shortlist at Old Trafford this summer with the club prioritising the addition of a central striker. Anthony Martial, whose future is uncertain, and Marcus Rashford, who prefers to play from the left, are the only two senior strikers on United’s books.
Osimhen has bagged 30 goals across all competitions for Napoli this season (Getty Images)According to TuttoMercatoWeb, United are positioned as the favourites to land the Dane this summer with a £43million bid being enough to secure his services. However, just as interestingly – Napoli are said to have identified the player in the scenario that Osimhen leaves this summer.
United’s prime target is Napoli striker Osimhen and he heads the club’s striking shortlist. Red Devils scouts attended Napoli’s Champions League clash against Milan in April and have been planning a move for the Nigerian since last summer.
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Osimhen spoke in March that it would be his “dream” to play in the Premier League as links with him moving to Old Trafford intensified. United have subsequently sent scouts to monitor the striker’s play.
Utd are eyeing a deal for Atalanta striker Ramsus Hojlund (Getty Images)Have Your Say! Which striker should Man Utd sign this summer? Tell us what you think here.
However, the Nigerian’s price tag far exceeds Hojlund’s and could be as much as £140million – which would not be realistic for United. In that case, they would instead turn their focus to the Atalanta talisman.
Speaking back in January, Hojlund revealed: “Now that you ask, I will not hide the fact that I am a huge Manchester United fan. So personally, it would be one of the biggest things for me, but of course, that doesn’t mean that I would turn down other big clubs if the offers come at some point.”
A report from The Athletic earlier in the week had highlighted that the agency which represents Ten Hag, SEG, have also brokered a deal with Hojlund - a development which could boost Manchester United's hopes of snaring the sought-after striker.
Atalanta boss Gian Piero Gasperini has been impressed by Hojlund in his debut season and admitted it "would be impossible to reject" and approach from "top European clubs". He said: "I haven't seen so many strikers as good as Hojlund at 20.
"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 bid for him that would be impossible to reject for us."
Benfica striker Goncalo Ramos and Mohammed Kudus, whom Ten Hag coached at Ajax, are also under consideration. Eintracht Frankfurt striker Randal Kolo Muani is another potential target, but a move for Hojlund may be the most economically feasible if there is no direct competition from elsewhere.