David Ornstein of The Athletic reports that Manchester United may have to settle for a different player after Paris Saint-Germain made a counteroffer for one of their top summer targets.
Man Utd started their summer hiring process by paying Mason Mount from Chelsea an initial £55 million, plus an additional £5 million in potential bonuses. And on 20 July, they followed up on that agreement by hiring Inter custodian Andre Onana. Onana cost Erik ten Hag’s team about £47 million, and he will take David de Gea’s place at Old Trafford.
Ten Hag is now trying to put an end to Man Utd’s striker shortage after strengthening his midfield and custodian positions. Although the Red Devils have been linked with a number of outstanding centre forwards, including Victor Osimhen, Dusan Vlahovic, and Randal Kolo Muani, Rasmus Hojlund of Atalanta is currently their top target.
Hojlund and Man Utd have already reached a personal agreement. Since the Dane is a huge club fan, doing this was not difficult.
Hojlund will sign a five-year deal worth £80,000 per week with Man Utd if they are successful in reaching an agreement with Atalanta.
It was discovered on Wednesday that Manchester United had increased their interest in Hojlund by making an opening offer. It is valued at an initial €50m (£43m), plus an additional €10m (£8.5m) in add-ons, according to Fabrizio Romano. Although Atalanta is holding out for €70 million (£60.1 million), it’s uncertain whether this will be accepted.
The 20-year-old has reportedly turned down a more lucrative contract offer from PSG in favour of joining Manchester United, according to Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio.
Ornstein, however, has refuted that assertion as of late. According to the reliable journalist, PSG has sent their opening offer for Hojlund, which is worth a total of £43 million. The French superpowers are unlikely to offer more than this amount because they believe Atalanta’s valuation of £60.1 million is “unrealistic” given that he has only played in one season of a top-five European league.
PSG jumped into the Rasmus Hojlund contest
Ornstein adds that PSG and the player’s entourage have had “constructive talks” regarding personal matters.
Ten Hag will be extremely concerned if PSG makes a bid for Hojlund. They are among the wealthiest clubs in Europe and frequently win France’s domestic leagues, so a move to the Parc des Princes may be alluring for the up-and-coming player.
One ray of hope for Man Utd is that Atalanta is more likely to accept their offer than PSG because they are prepared to pay more for Hojlund.
The six-cap Dane is in a strong position right now. Despite still being at the beginning of his career, he can choose between two of the biggest clubs in Europe.
Playing time is one thing Hojlund needs to take into account. In order to avoid warming the bench and letting his development stall, he must make sure that he will be a regular starter at his next club.
