Manchester United are in the market for a new centre-forward this season and Atalanta starlet Rasmus Højlund has been identified as their primary target for the position according to multiple sources.
The Danish international, who turned 20 back in February, scored ten times in all competitions during his maiden campaign for La Dea in 2022/23 and the Copenhagen-born striker has shown enough potential to draw interest from several of Europe’s biggest clubs, including PSG.
However, as a United fan since childhood, Højlund is believed to have his heart set on a move to Old Trafford this summer and the latest gossip suggests a switch to Manchester could be close to completion.
Contents
How much is Rasmus Højlund worth?
While reports published by English outlets had been suggesting that Atalanta were asking for as much as €100m, stories in Italy placed his valuation at closer to the €60m mark, and with better intel starting to surface, it looks as though the Italian media’s information was more accurate.
Atalanta paid just €17m to sign Højlund from Austrian outfit Strum Graz last summer and the Bergamo-based club stand to make a considerable profit on their investment just 12 months later.
Twitter transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has indicated that personal terms have already been agreed between United and Højlund since May, and with the Red Devils now locked in talks with Atalanta over a fee for the centre-forward, concrete news concerning the deal could emerge later this week.
PSG’s interest in Rasmus Højlund a worry?
On Sunday, some stories started to break in France that pushed PSG forward as a possible destination for Højlund with the Ligue 1 champions backed to place a €60m bid for the Dane’s services.
The Parisians have the financial clout and pulling power to land most of the players they pursue, however, Højlund seems determined to push through a move to United.
United are firmly in the driving seat for Højlund’s signature, however, any breakdown in talks with Atalanta or the player could allow PSG to swoop.
PSG are set to lose Kylian Mbappe this summer and securing attacking reinforcements will be high on their agenda ahead of the new season in France.
Where would Højlund fit in at United?
Manchester United made plenty of positive strides under Erik ten Hag in 2022/23, though they toiled at times in the final third and were forced to play without a recognised centre-forward for much of the campaign.
Indeed, United’s haul of 58 goals was the lowest tally in the top six and of the sides that finished in the top nine places in the division, only Aston Villa (51) scored less often.
Erik ten Hag has been vocal about his team’s need for at least one striker and with Tottenham reluctant to do business with a Premier League rival for Harry Kane, United have moved their sights onto Højlund.
While the Danish wonderkid is less of a sure thing than prime Premier League predator Kane, Højlund – if successful – would offer a better long-term solution than the Three Lions star.
The attacker has all of the raw materials to be a hit in terms of pace, power, technique and an imposing 6’3” frame and in a United side that creates plenty of chances, Højlund could fill his boots.
