Manchester United to tie up £86m striker in blockbuster sign of intent: report

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag during the Pre-Season Friendly fixture between Manchester United and Leeds United at Ullevaal Stadion on July 12, 2023 in Oslo, Norway.
(Image credit: Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)

Manchester United appear to be on the brink of signing an £86 million-rated forward as Erik ten Hag's revolution continues at Old Trafford.

The Red Devils set out at the start of the transfer window to repair the spine of their squad, with a goalkeeper, centre-back, midfielder and striker targeted. Mason Mount was the first to join for around £55m, with Inter Milan star Andre Onana next through the door in the coming days.

But while centre-back remains important to Ten Hag – Harry Maguire has just been stripped of the Manchester United captaincy ahead of a shakeup in the backline – a new forward is the priority.

Manchester United captain Harry Maguire reacts during the UEFA Europa League Quarterfinal Second Leg match between Sevilla FC and Manchester United at Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan on April 20, 2023 in Seville, Spain.

Harry Maguire is on the cusp of a Manchester United exit, following his stripping of the armband (Image credit: Fran Santiago/Getty Images)

The Telegraph are reporting that not only is Onana extremely close to completing his move to the 13-time Premier League winners, fellow Serie A superstar Rasmus Hojlund is next on the shortlist, with United set to move for the Dane next.

Atalanta are said to rate Hojlund as expensive as £86m, though there is hope from United's side that they can talk down the Bergamo outfit due to the player's lack of senior level experience. 

Hojlund has drawn comparisons to Erling Haaland early in his career for his physicality and lethal eye for goal in the 18-yard box – and would enable Ten Hag to play with the kind of forward that he was used to at Ajax. In his final Eredivisie season, the 53-year-old used Ivorian hitman Sebastien Haller, while Wout Weghorst was drafted into Old Trafford on emergency loan last term. 

"With Marcus Rashford set to sign a new five-year contract with United, Ten Hag is desperate to add more firepower in attack to ease the burden on the England striker and has identified Hojlund as a priority target after the club backed away from a move for Harry Kane amid serious doubts Tottenham would be prepared to sell to them," the report states.

Denmark's forward Rasmus Hojlund celebrates after scoring a goal during Group H Euro 2024 Qualifying match between Slovenia and Denmark at the Stozice Stadium in Ljubljana, Slovenia on June 19, 2023.

Denmark forward Rasmus Hojlund looks Premier League-bound (Image credit: JURE MAKOVEC/AFP via Getty Images)

Hojlund only signed for Atalanta last summer. He scored 10 goals in all competitions and only turned 20 in Febrary.

The forward is valued by Transfermarkt to be worth a figure of €45m.

More Manchester United stories

Manchester United transfer news is doing the rounds, with the Red Devils said to be in the market for several stars this summer. 

Andre Onana is wanted in goalRasmus Hojlund and Randal Kolo Muani are wanted up front, while wonderkid Vitor Roque has been linked, too. Portuguese teen Joao Neves is on the radar, while his countryman Goncalo Ramos is in the crosshairsUnited have also enquired about Theo Hernandez, while Jadon Sancho has been put up for sale.

Meanwhile, Marcus Rashford looks set to remain with a bumper new contract.

Mark White
Content Editor

Mark White has been at on FourFourTwo since joining in January 2020, first as a staff writer before becoming content editor in 2023. An encyclopedia of football shirts and boots knowledge – both past and present – Mark has also represented FFT at both FA Cup and League Cup finals (though didn't receive a winners' medal on either occasion) and has written pieces for the mag ranging on subjects from Bobby Robson's season at Barcelona to Robinho's career. He has written cover features for the mag on Mikel Arteta and Martin Odegaard, and is assisted by his cat, Rosie, who has interned for the brand since lockdown.

Read more
Zirkzee and Hojlund have a combined five Premier League goals this season
Manchester United star Rasmus Hojlund given shock exit route: report
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 07: Ruben Amorim, Head Coach of Manchester United, speaks with Rasmus Hojlund of Manchester United during the Premier League match between Manchester United FC and Nottingham Forest FC at Old Trafford on December 07, 2024 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
Manchester United star Rasmus Hojlund could return to Italy, after failing to impress Ruben Amorim: report
Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim does not have time to waste
Manchester United closing in on signing 'the next Vinicius Jr': report
Marcus Rashford looks likely to leave Old Trafford on loan in January
Manchester United ready to replace Marcus Rashford with wonderkid sensation, who netted 32 goals in 18 games last year: report
Manchester United target Victor Osimhen
Manchester United report: £62m Victor Osimhen swoop is '95 per cent' completed, ahead of summer move
Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford was recently loaned to Aston Villa
Have Manchester United already secured their Marcus Rashford replacement, thanks to a Ruben Amorim masterplan?
Latest in Stories
Fulham manager Marco Silva looks on from the dugout ahead of the FA Cup fourth round tie against Wigan Athletic at the Brick Community Stadium in Wigan, England on 8 February, 2025
'I think Marco Silva is the best manager in London - he managed to really maintain the desire to play attractive football, which was really hard over the years': Former Fulham talisman showers praise on 'impressive' Marco Silva
Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim looks on following his side's defeat against AFC Bournemouth
Report reveals 10 Manchester United players leaving this summer
Tottenham Hotspur back row (L-R) Dele Alli, Mousa Dembele, Eric Dier, Davinson Sanchez, Hugo Lloris, Jan Vertonghen; front row (L-R) Son Heung-min, Christian Eriksen, Harry Kane, Kieran Trippier, Ben Davies during the Champions League match against Juventus at the Wembley Stadium on March 7, 2018 in London United Kingdom
Tottenham cult hero calls retirement - to avoid 'painkiller dependency'
Thomas Tuchel will take charge of England for the very first time this evening
'He pushed us. It was tough love, but that's Thomas' Former player reveals that the new England manager will be HARD on his players
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola holds aloft the Premier League trophy at the Etihad in May 2023.
Quiz! Can you name every Premier League champion... in just 90 seconds?
LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 19: manager Ange Postecoglou of Tottenham Hotspur FC and Micky van de Venand Cristian Romero during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur FC and West Ham United FC at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on October 19, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images)
Tottenham star Cristian Romero 'willing to do everything' to LEAVE: report
Latest in News
Fulham manager Marco Silva looks on from the dugout ahead of the FA Cup fourth round tie against Wigan Athletic at the Brick Community Stadium in Wigan, England on 8 February, 2025
'I think Marco Silva is the best manager in London - he managed to really maintain the desire to play attractive football, which was really hard over the years': Former Fulham talisman showers praise on 'impressive' Marco Silva
Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim looks on following his side's defeat against AFC Bournemouth
Report reveals 10 Manchester United players leaving this summer
James Maddison of Tottenham Hotspur scores their 2nd goal during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC at Etihad Stadium on November 23, 2024 in Manchester, England.
Tottenham and Manchester City could smash transfer record for British wonderkid: report
Tottenham Hotspur back row (L-R) Dele Alli, Mousa Dembele, Eric Dier, Davinson Sanchez, Hugo Lloris, Jan Vertonghen; front row (L-R) Son Heung-min, Christian Eriksen, Harry Kane, Kieran Trippier, Ben Davies during the Champions League match against Juventus at the Wembley Stadium on March 7, 2018 in London United Kingdom
Tottenham cult hero calls retirement - to avoid 'painkiller dependency'
Thomas Tuchel will take charge of England for the very first time this evening
'He pushed us. It was tough love, but that's Thomas' Former player reveals that the new England manager will be HARD on his players
Arsenal squad for 2024/25 LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 11: William Saliba of Arsenal celebrates scoring his teams first goal with teammates during the Pre-Season Friendly match between Arsenal FC and Olympique Lyonnais at Emirates Stadium on August 11, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Arsenal warned, as Real Madrid are coming for their star next: report