Manchester United are closing in on the signing of Rasmus Hojlund from Atalanta. The latest report from journalist Alfredo Pedulla, who has proven his reliability this summer with accurate reporting on both the Andre Onana and Hojlund to United transfer sagas, now suggests that the Red Devils could be on the verge of acquiring the Danish striker, with the deal to be finalised as early as Saturday.
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Manchester United on the Verge of Rasmus Hojlund Signing
United’s Need for Hojlund
The Manchester side simply cannot afford not to sign a striker this summer.
The closest thing to a recognised number nine currently in the squad at Old Trafford is Anthony Martial, but the Frenchman has been converted to the position from being a winger earlier in his career out of necessity more than anything. While he can be potent in a central attacking role, he spends substantially too much time on the injury table to be relied upon as Erik ten Hag’s main goalscoring threat.
With Martial currently unavailable during United’s preseason tour of the USA, it has once again been painfully obvious how desperately the squad needs a striker.
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Against Real Madrid on Wednesday night in Texas, Ten Hag’s attack looked blunt. Although good performances were few and far between amongst the Dutchman’s squad, there were still chances to be taken, and yet the Spanish giants were able to come out of the game with a clean sheet.
This performance, according to the Dutch manager, “absolutely” emphasised his team’s need for a new striker, as he revealed in his post-match press conference.
“There were two things – the pressing can be better from the start, and scoring goals.
“I think we need more players who are capable to be in the one-on-ones and we had the situations of one-on-ones.
“It was (Marcus) Rashford, it was, I thought, Scott McTominay in one-on-one situations. Garnacho, a one-on-one situation. From the situations, you have to score.”
Pedulla’s Latest Update on Rasmus Hojlund to Manchester United
In his latest update, Pedulla revealed just how close the Red Devils are to signing Hojlund, who he believes to be “perfect” for Ten Hag.
He reports that the next hours will be decisive for the completion of this deal, with both sides intending on finalising the agreement on Saturday such that the striker won’t be available for Atalanta’s 3pm (BST) preseason friendly against Bournemouth.
Currently, United’s bid for Hojlund is said to be a fixed fee of £53.3 million plus £4.3 million in bonuses, while Atalanta are holding out for an offer in the region of £58.4-60.1 million fixed plus £4.3 million in add-ons.
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Pedulla claims that a solution could come if the Red Devils increase their fixed fee offer to the region of £55.8-56.7 million, with bonuses to take the deal up to a potential total of £66.5 million.
Pedulla ends his update by saying: “He’s already in England, his future will be in the Premier League”.
Main image credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
