ESPN sources report that Manchester United and Atalanta have agreed to a transfer for Rasmus Hojlund.
The Old Trafford club is expected to pay £64 million ($82 million) plus an additional £8 million ($10 million) in add-ons for the 20-year-old Danish forward. Following Mason Mount and Andre Onana, he will become Erik ten Hag’s third summer signing.
After advances for Harry Kane and Victor Osimhen were abandoned, Hojlund became the most coveted center forward. Ten Hag was initially interested in adding an experienced No. 9 to his squad, but sources have told ESPN that the Dutchman has come around to the notion of working with Hojlund due to his potential.
At one stage, United were adamant that they would not pay more than £60m for Hojlund despite Atalanta’s demand for £77m. The acceptance that a striker had to arrive before the deadline caused United to weaken their position and consent to pay more than initially anticipated.
Meanwhile, Atlanta inked forward El Bilal Toure on Saturday, making Hojlund’s departure possible.
With 58 goals scored, Ten Hag’s squad was the lowest scoring team in the Premier League’s top six last season. Hojlund is one of the finest young players in Europe, despite his lack of experience.
Hojlund has yet to play 100 career games and scored nine goals in 32 Serie A appearances last season. He has scored 27 goals during his senior career with Copenhagen, Sturm Graz, and Atalanta, and has scored six goals in six international appearances for Denmark.
His arrival will bring United’s summer expenditures close to £180 million, forcing the club to work on departures to balance its accounts. Anthony Elanga has joined Nottingham Forest for a fee that could reach £20 million, while Alex Telles has joined Al Nassr for $4 million.
United are open to offers for Fred, Eric Bailly, and Donny van de Beek, while Dean Henderson is close to transferring to Forest on loan with the option to make the move permanent next summer.
United will also consider proposals for Scott McTominay and Harry Maguire, the latter of whom was recently the subject of a rejected offer from West Ham United, but it will take a substantial offer for them to be permitted to leave Old Trafford.
