By Samuel A. July 30, 2023
13 time Premier League champions, Manchester United have agreed a deal in principle to sign Denmark international striker Rasmus Højlund from Serie A side Atalanta on a five year deal, with an option of a sixth. The 20 year old will move to Old Trafford for a fee of £64m, plus a potential £8m in addons.
The Red devils were handed a boost on Saturday when Atalanta signed Almeria forward El Bilal Toure, while Højlund was left out of the squad that played Bournemouth in their preseason friendly.
Højlund will be United manager Erik ten Hag’s third signing of the summer, after Mason Mount joined from his boyhood club, Chelsea for £55m, and Inter Milan goalkeeper Andre Onana was signed for £47.2m. Although United had been attempting to keep the fee below £60m, Højlund was Ten Hag’s priority signing for the number 9 position, after leaving the race to sign Harry Kane due to Tottenham’s price tag on the 30 year old, and his high wage demands.
Though there is still some work to do to conclude the Højlund deal, personal terms will not be a problem, as the striker already agreed with Man United offer before the transfer.
Ligue 1 champions Paris St-Germain were also reportedly interested in Højlund as a potential replacement for France captain Kylian Mbappe, whose immediate future is unclear, as it is believed within the PSG board that the 24 year old already agreed terms with Real Madrid.
The deal takes Ten Hag’s overall summer spending spree to a minimum of £166.2m, with the potential to rise to £180m. Providing the transfer is completed in time, Hojlund could come into contention for United’s final pre-season friendlies against Ligue 1 side Lens next Saturday at Old Trafford and Athletic Bilbao in Dublin on Sunday.
