Højlund has scored six goals in six games for Denmark. Photo: Getty Images/Jure Makovec
Manchester United will bet on young Danish international Rasmus Højlund, their new first choice striker in this window, as they look to give Erik ten Hag the second big signing of the summer amid growing uncertainty over proposed takeover.
The club are operating on a tight budget due to financial fair play considerations but believe they could sell Hoilund for around £50m this summer, though the deal may have to be delayed in the Glazer sale process. The 20-year-old had an impressive breakthrough last season for Atalanta in Serie A, scoring nine goals in 32 games, and is regarded as a player with enormous room for improvement.
United have been pushed hard to a £60m fee for Chelsea's Mason Mount and they are now looking to cover two other key positional targets this summer. Their striker options in the window were Hoylund and Randal Colo Muani, a striker for Eintracht Frankfurt and the French national team. Ten Hag named Høilund as his favorite.
United's £115.5m loss in the previous financial year has placed limits on what is available to Ten Hag this summer and forced them to sell. The takeover process was expected to be finalized by now, but the Glazer siblings continue to ponder their three options. It's Qatari Sheikh Jassim's proposal, the opposite proposal of Ineos billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe, or seeking more investment while maintaining control. In the meantime, the club is working according to the original plan.
This means that along with the goalkeeper, a scorer needs to be found, as well as the many sales that the club hoped to make. Andre Onana, a former Ajax player with Ten Hag and now playing for Inter Milan, is the goalkeeper's main target. Inter's £51.5m valuation is believed to be slightly different from United's £38.5m valuation.
Goalkeeper Andre Onana is another player on United's radar. Credit: Getty Images/Mattia Ozbot
As for the striker, Hoylund is more realistic, although his price has skyrocketed this season in a limited market for established scoring talent. Since his debut in the Danish Super League for Copenhagen in October 2020, he has played less than 100 club games. He first played for his country less than a year ago and is undoubtedly a very promising talent.
Meanwhile, United are considering selling one or all of the players Harry Maguire, Jadon Sancho, Fred, Scott McTominay, Anthony Martial, Alex Telles, Anthony Elanga and Eric Bailly to reset their financial fair play “. consideration.
United were considering bidding for Harry Kane, who had one year left on his contract with Tottenham Hotspur. There is no takeover decision yet, which is currently not a viable option given the price and Spurs' reluctance to sell him to the Premier League. Nevertheless, Ten Hag is a fan of the player.
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