Manchester United Set to Seal Record-Breaking £72m Deal for Atalanta Striker Rasmus Hojlund

Manchester United are in the process of finalizing a £72m agreement to acquire striker Rasmus Hojlund from Atalanta. The club aims to complete Hojlund's medical examination this week and formalize a five-year contract, with the possibility of extending it for an additional year. This would enable him to participate in one of the team's remaining pre-season matches.

United will be playing two games this weekend; one against Lens on Saturday and another against Athletic Bilbao on Sunday.

The initial value of the deal for Hojlund is £64m, with an additional £8m in performance-related add-ons. Initially, Atalanta had demanded a guaranteed amount of £77m for the negotiations.

As reported earlier by We News, Old Trafford has been the preferred destination for the forward, making PSG's interest in the Danish international a non-issue. Sorting out personal terms was effortless, as Hojlund has agreed to a five-year contract with the possibility of extending it by 12 months.

On Saturday, Atalanta's recent signing of Almeria forward El Bilal Toure provided a significant boost to the Premier League team. Meanwhile, Hojlund was excluded from the squad that participated in a pre-season friendly against Bournemouth.

United's recent business dealings have mostly concluded, and additional acquisitions are anticipated to be contingent upon departures. Noteworthy players such as Harry Maguire, Scott McTominay, Fred, and Donny van de Beek have generated interest.

If there are exits, United are understood to be ready to go into the market to replace them.

Strong interest remains in Fiorentina midfielder Sofyan Amrabat.

Eriksen: Hojlund is a very good player

Manchester United midfielder Christian Eriksen speaking after their friendly with Borussia Dortmund about the prospective arrival of Rasmus Hojlund:

"How would you describe him? He's a formidable striker," Eriksen remarked.

"He has made significant progress in the past year since I initially watched him play for the national team, so yeah, he's an exceptionally skilled player."

When asked about Hojlund flying under the radar until the recent transfer rumors, Eriksen stated that it could be attributed to the lack of media attention in Denmark. As a result, people outside of Denmark may not be familiar with him. Eriksen emphasized that Hojlund is not only a talented player but also a pleasant individual. Furthermore, he praised Hojlund's growth and evolution, specifically highlighting his success as a striker for the national team.

"I have to be honest I haven't seen that many games for Atalanta, but I know how they play and he fitted in well there, so, yeah, he's a good player."

'Man Utd have solved three core squad issues'

We News senior reporter Melissa Reddy:

"United are conscious that Hojlund is more potential than the finished article, but believe Erik ten Hag's coaching could help mould him into an elite player.

Marcus Rashford may have to assume the role of Manchester United's main striker for a few matches as he adapts and gains more experience. In the long run, he is regarded as a talented player with the potential to achieve world-class status under Ten Hag.

Manchester United has successfully addressed the three crucial squad problems identified by the manager: a goalkeeper, a forward, and a dynamic midfielder. This accomplishment has been achieved while remaining within the club's budget, which was restricted by Financial Fair Play regulations.

Hojlund made it clear that he preferred Old Trafford as his destination. Although PSG showed interest with a take-it-or-leave-it bid, there was no concern at United because they knew the player's desire to join them. They had thoroughly researched the deal and remained within their budget.

United successfully negotiated with Atalanta, securing a lower price than initially requested. The last asking price was £77m, but United managed to agree on £64m, which they considered a victory. It is important to note that the player is only 20 years old and lacks experience, making the price tag quite significant for United.

However, they have faith in his immense potential and believe that he can thrive and reach a world-class level under the guidance of Erik ten Hag. This implies that they trust their manager's coaching abilities and the observations made by the scouts regarding Hojlund.

The increase in United's asking price was not influenced by PSG's entry into the race. Rather, it was driven by the urgency to finalize the deal in time for the player to sufficiently train with the squad before the start of the season. Despite going higher than their preferred price, they consider this as a satisfactory compromise.

Analysis: Hojlund has huge potential

Rasmus Hojlund's impressive performance in Serie A has sparked interest and Manchester United is pinning their hopes on the 20-year-old prodigy to be the next sensational striker in European football. However, the question arises: How can the Red Devils extract the maximum potential from this promising Danish talent?

Sturm Graz's strategy required Hojlund to execute penetrating runs behind the opposing defense. Head coach Christian Ilzer mentioned that this tactic demands a considerable amount of sprints and quick decision-making from our forwards, which Rasmus excels at. He also emphasized that it was crucial for our team's philosophy and style to align perfectly with Ras's abilities, creating a positive environment for him. His speed, overall physique, and strong work ethic while defending were essential attributes that made him a valuable addition to our team.

While Erik ten Hag is excited to have a forward who can press and move quickly, it is important to exercise patience. Hojlund shows potential, but Manchester United will need to witness noticeable improvement in order to validate the expenditure made on him. The Danish player exhibited progress during his time at Sturm Graz and later with Atalanta. This upcoming phase represents a crucial juncture in his career.

Ten Hag: Real Madrid defeat shows why Man Utd need a striker

Ten Hag said United's inability to take their chances in a 2-0 friendly loss to Real Madrid on Thursday "absolutely" emphasised their need for a new striker.

United had multiple opportunities but were unable to convert any of their 14 attempts, which only echoes the recurring issue they faced last season with capitalizing on scoring chances. When questioned about whether the offensive performance in Texas underscored the need for a new striker, Ten Hag replied, "Without a doubt."

"We need improvement in two areas - our pressing from the beginning and our ability to score goals.

"We require more players who can excel in one-on-one situations, and we have encountered numerous instances of such situations."

Follow the summer transfer window with Sky Sports

Stay up to date with all the latest transfer news and rumors on our exclusive Transfer Centre blog, available on We' digital platforms. For a comprehensive overview of signings, departures, and expert analysis, tune in to We News.