18 July 2023 , 06:41
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Atalanta have told Manchester United they are only interested in a cash deal for Rasmus Hojlund.
The Red Devils are set to ramp up their interest in the young forward once they've completed a deal for Andre Onana, but are likely to find negotiations difficult. Erik ten Hag is working with a limited summer budget but is keen to bring in more firepower.
Hojlund represents a long-term investment but is tipped for big things despite playing less than 100 senior games. He scored nine times last term and also impressed on the international stage with Denmark, meaning Atalanta won't let him go on the cheap. The idea of a player swap deal has been quickly turned down, as per the Telegraph.
Mason Greenwood, whose United future remains in question, had been mooted as a potential makeweight, moving to Italy on loan.
Atalanta's resistance means United will have to find huge sums to sign the Dane, who has an £86m price tag on his head. That is beyond what they have remaining in their summer budget and the club are understood to deem that fee as excessive.
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Earlier in the summer Harry Kane had been identified as a key target but they've since backed out of pursuing the Tottenham forward. The England star only has 12 months left on his deal but his club are reluctant to sell him and United know about the difficulties of negotiating with Daniel Levy.
Marcus Rashford is set to sign a lucrative new long-term deal which will tie him down for his peak years. The forward was United's main supply of goals last term, breaking numerous records as he hit the 30 goal mark for the first time in his career.
Support was lacking though, particularly from his forward colleagues. Anthony Martial continues to underwhelm in Manchester and the Frenchman, who will be free to go next summer for nothing, hasn't attracted any interest despite the club being open to offers.
Rasmus Hojlund is on Man Utd's radar, but won't come on the cheap (Getty Images)Jadon Sancho, who moved from Borussia Dortmund two years ago, is struggling to produce the form he showed in the Bundesliga. He was sent on a one-to-one programme by Ten Hag last term but has failed to see any results from the Englishman since his return.
Anthony Elanga, who has been used sporadically, is also free to leave with Everton among those keen. Between him, Sancho and Martial last term they managed just 16 goals. Bruno Fernandes was the only man other than Rashford to hit double figures, underlining their problems in the final third.