Manchester United 'agree five-year deal with Rasmus Hojlund'

Manchester United have reportedly reached an agreement with Atalanta BC striker Rasmus Hojlund over personal terms.

After completing the signing of midfielder Mason Mount and goalkeeper Andre Onana earlier this summer, the Red Devils are now pushing to recruit a new centre-forward before the new season begins.

Erik ten Hag recently revealed that Man United have 'made progress' in talks to sign a new striker this summer, and the Dutchman hopes that a deal can be completed as soon as possible.

A host of names have been linked with a move to Old Trafford including Denmark international Hojlund, who appears to have emerged as United's primary striker target.

The Red Devils have failed to make progress in their effort to sign the likes of Tottenham Hotspur's Harry Kane, Eintracht Frankfurt's Randal Kolo Muani or Napoli's Victor Osimhen, while a potential swoop for Paris Saint-Germain's Kylian Mbappe is considered out of their reach financially.

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Instead, a summer move for 20-year-old Hojlund is high on United's agenda and they are understood to have held talks with Atalanta to discuss his availability.

Discissions over a transfer fee appear to have hit a stumbling block as the Red Devils are reluctant to pay over £60m for Hojlund, who is currently valued by Atalanta in the region of £85m.

Nevertheless, according to journalist Fabrizio Romano, an agreement has been reached between Man United and Hojlund's entourage over personal terms.

Romano claims that the Dane has given the go-ahead to pen a five-year contract until the summer of 2028 which includes an option to extend by an additional 12 months.

Man United are said to be preparing to table a formal offer this week, but they will not entertain negotiations within the €90m to €100m bracket.

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The Red Devils have already forked out over £100m to sign Mount and Onana and are currently working on a tight budget to ensure that they avoid breaching Financial Fair Play rules.

Generating funds from player sales could help increase their transfer budget, though, with one report claiming that they are ready to let four players leave the club this summer.

Hojlund has only recently emerged as one of the brightest attacking prospects in Europe, with 12 goals in 21 games for Austrian side Sturm Graz during a six-month spell in 2022 persuading Atalanta to sign the striker for around £15m last summer.

His stock has since risen after he scored 10 goals in 34 appearances in his debut season for Atalanta in 2022-23, including eight Serie A goals during the second half of the campaign.

The former Copenhagen youngster, who has also been linked with PSG, is under contract with the Italian club until June 2027.