Premier League side Man Utd have made their opening “verbal proposal” for Atalanta striker Rasmus Hojlund, according to Fabrizio Romano.
Hojlund joined the Serie A outfit for around €17.2million (£14.7million) from Austrian club Strum Graz last August.
He enjoyed a pretty solid debut season in Italy, scoring 10 goals in 34 appearances across all competitions.
The 20-year-old is attracting plenty of interest after less than a year with his new club. It is believed Paris Saint-Germain andMan Utdare both vying for his signature.
The Red Devils are in desperate need of a new striker and initially targeted Tottenham’s Harry Kane, who is likely to cost at least £100m.
Spurs’ asking price has put Erik ten Hag’s side off and they have ɾєρօɾτedly made Hojlund their number-one target following the additions of Cameroonian goalkeeper Andre Onana and Mason Mount.
As per Transfermarkt, Hojlund is worth £38mbut Atalanta are believed to be after a fee in the region of £86m.
It has been ɾєρօɾτed that an opening offer was set to be placed this week and Man Utd did in fact make their move on Wednesday, according to Romano.
The Italian transfer expert reckons Ten Hag’s side have submitted a “verbal proposal” worth a total of€60m, which is below Atalanta’s asking price.
Man Utd remain in a strong position, nonetheless. They have already “agreed terms” with the Danish striker, Romano adds.
He wrote: “Understand Manchester United sent 1st verbal proposal to Atalanta for Rasmus Hojlund for €60m package.
“Bid structure is €50m fixed fee plus €10m add-ons. Atalanta always wanted at least €70m fee.
“PSG keep insisting with Hojlund’s camp — Man Utd already agreed terms.”
The signing of Hojlund is a risky one but he is a player with the potential to be one of the best strikers in world football.
Should he join Man Utd, Ten Hag can be very happy with his summer business.
Mount is a player the Dutch manager clearly likes a lot, whileOnana coming in for David de Gea is a monstrous upgradeon an unreliable goalkeeper.
Onana gives Ten Hag the chance to fully implement his style of playing out from the back, which was very difficult with De Gea in between the sticks.
