Manchester United's Record-Breaking £72m Deal: Sensational Signing of Danish Star Rasmus Hojlund from Atalanta

Manchester United and Atalanta have struck a deal regarding Rasmus Hojlund, with an initial value of £64m and an additional £8m in potential extras. Atalanta had initially demanded a guaranteed sum of £77m during the negotiation process.

According to previous reports from We News, the preferred destination for the forward has been Old Trafford, thus alleviating any worries about PSG's interest in the Danish player. As for personal terms, Hojlund has effortlessly reached an agreement on a five-year contract with the possibility of extending it for an additional 12 months.

Atalanta signing Almeria forward El Bilal Toure on Saturday provided a boost for the Premier League side. Meanwhile, Hojlund was absent from the squad that faced Bournemouth in a pre-season friendly. United's incoming transfers are mostly complete, and future arrivals may depend on departures.

There is interest in the likes of Harry Maguire, Scott McTominay, Fred and Donny van de Beek.

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.

'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 United's main focal point temporarily, as the young player adapts and acquires more experience. In the long run, he is widely regarded as a highly promising talent who has the capacity to reach a world-class level under the guidance of Ten Hag.

United has successfully addressed the three key squad concerns that the manager identified: securing a goalkeeper, a forward, and a dynamic midfielder. Moreover, this achievement has been accomplished while adhering to the club's self-imposed budget, which was dictated by the regulations of Financial Fair Play.

Hojlund had expressed his strong preference for Old Trafford, so despite PSG's interest and their firm offer, there was no concern on United's part. They were confident in the player's desire to join them and had thoroughly researched the deal, managing to stay within their budget.

United successfully negotiated with Atalanta, convincing them to lower their initial asking price. Initially, Atalanta wanted £77m, but United managed to secure a deal with a guaranteed payment of £64m. Considering that the player is only 20 years old and relatively inexperienced, this price tag is quite significant for United.

However, they have confidence in his potential and believe that under the guidance of Erik ten Hag, he can reach new heights and become a world-class player. This displays their support towards their manager's coaching abilities and the positive feedback received from the scouts regarding Hojlund.

The decision to increase the price point was not influenced by PSG's involvement in the race. It was primarily driven by the urgency to finalize the deal on time, ensuring that the player has sufficient training sessions with the squad to be ready for the start of the season. Despite having to exceed their preferred price, they believe a satisfactory agreement has been reached.

Analysis: Hojlund has huge potential

Rasmus Hojlund has become a source of intrigue following a promising season in Serie A, and Manchester United are placing their bets on the 20-year-old prodigy to emerge as the next sensational striker in European football. However, what strategies should they employ to unlock the full potential of this Danish sensation?

Sturm Graz's strategy required Hojlund to make penetrating runs behind the opposing defense. According to head coach Christian Ilzer, this demanded a considerable amount of sprints and quick decision-making from our strikers, which he believes are Rasmus' significant strengths.

Ilzer also emphasized that it was crucial for our team's philosophy and style to align seamlessly with Rasmus' skill set, creating a favorable environment for him. The coach further emphasized that Rasmus' abilities were a valuable addition to the team, particularly his speed, overall physicality, and commitment to exerting effort when defending.

Erik ten Hag will gladly embrace a forward who excels in pressing and possesses rapid pace, although it is crucial to exercise patience. Hojlund displays promise, yet Manchester United must witness substantial development to validate this considerable investment. He demonstrated progress during his time at Sturm Graz and further enhanced his skills with Atalanta. Taking this next step is of utmost importance.

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

Ten Hag emphasized that United's need for a new striker was absolutely highlighted by their inability to convert their chances in a 2-0 friendly defeat to Real Madrid on Thursday. Despite having opportunities of their own, United failed to score from any of their 14 attempts, reflecting their ongoing struggles in taking advantage of such situations last season.

Ten Hag affirmed that the attacking showcase in Texas clearly highlighted the reason behind their pursuit of a new striker. "Without a doubt," he stated. "Two aspects stood out - the pressing strategy can be enhanced right from the beginning, and we need to improve our goal-scoring capabilities."

"I believe that we require additional players who possess the ability to excel in one-on-one situations, as we have encountered such scenarios in the past."

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