21 July 2023 , 06:40
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Atalanta boss Gian Piero Gasperini has conceded that Rasmus Hojlund is likely to leave for Manchester United.
The striker has attracted the eye of Red Devils boss Erik ten Hag after he was priced out of a move for top target Harry Kane. Now, having signed Andre Onana on Thursday, the Dutchman is pushing for a fresh bid for Hojlund.
The Dane only arrived at Atalanta last summer, scoring nine goals in Serie A, but now United are ready to tempt the Italian side into selling. And Gasperini has admitted he has no idea if he will be able to keep hold of the striker, though did insist any sale should be for no less than £70m.
"If he stays? I don't know, honestly I don't know, the transfer market is unpredictable. I don't know the value of the player, he can be worth even 100 million, but the market value is uncertain," he told Sky Sport Italia.
"I hope the club will value Højlund around €80m, €90m or €100m fee. There are strong players who struggle to find a place and other young players who reach certain figures, Hojlund is among the very best emerging players in Europe.
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"It's not easy, it's not that every year someone like Scalvini emerges, the Atalanta youth sector has had less brilliance lately. For Atalanta it is essential to have young players to launch and enhance.
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Atalanta coach Gian Piero Gasperini has admitted Rasmus Hojlund is edging closer to leaving for Manchester United"The future and also the present of Atalanta passes through this. Atalanta's resources are through this type of operation. Every year we are 'forced' to sell the best young people against important offers in order to be competitive."
Reports on Thursday suggested that United were pulling closer to securing the striker in a deal worth around £60m. Part of the attraction to United will likely be the chance to be competing for trophies.
And Gasperini has admitted that the chance to play for a side able to compete for a league title is something Atalanta cannot offer. His comments come with Atalanta waiting to see whether Hojlund departs before beginning their pre-season in earnest.
"We always start with players who we don't know if they'll stay or leave, lots of guys, lots of loans, a few years ago the teams were already made. Sometimes they reproach me that Atalanta hasn't won trophies," he added.
"The Scudetto has never been within reach, we came close to the Cup but the thing that makes us proud is having taken Atalanta from a medium-low bracket to a higher bracket,it's not easy.
For me every year we manage to reach Europe it's an extraordinary result, every time a player leaves my heart aches but this is our story and it's our satisfactions. For me, a handshake is like a contract."