Man Utd expect to seal £60m Hojlund transfer in days but will have to break budget and step up efforts to flog deadwood
MANCHESTER UNITED are convinced they will have striker Rasmus Hojlund in time for their season opener against Wolves.
Talks have progressed this week and a £60million deal for the 20-year-old Danish striker at Serie A side Atalanta is close to being agreed.
United still face competition for Hojlund’s signature with reports that PSG have launched a £42.6million bid for the striker.
They have already bought Mason Mount and goalkeeper Andre Onana leaving them with £13million left of the £120million they were able to spend due to FFP rules.
But as long as they can offset that with sales this summer and in the New Year market they will be ok.
A number of current players have been linked with an exit.
Midfield duo Fred and Scott McTominay are among those who could easily be sold to raise funds.
Former captain Harry Maguire continues to be linked with a departure after being stripped of the armband.
Eric Bailly, Anthony Martial and Donny van der Beek’s futures are also uncertain.
The Red Devils are desperate for a new frontman as the 2-0 defeat to Real Madrid in Houston proved.
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Manager Erik ten Hag was asked if the game emphasised the need for that major move in the transfer market.
Ten Hag said: “Absolutely, two things: the pressing can be better from the start and scoring goals and I think we need more players capable to be one-on-one, we had the situations, it was Rashford, Scott McTominay, Garnacho, you have to score.”
It was a tough night for United 24 hours after their second team was beaten 3-1 by Wrexham.
They also had Kobbie Mainoo injured early in the game and he left the NRG Stadium with his ankle in a protective boot.
Midfielder Mainoo, 18, has impressed Ten Hag in training and started the pre-season win over Arsenal as well as this game.
Ten Hag said: “Hopefully he is not too bad and chances will come.
“I wanted to see what levels he could play against Arsenal, we were pleased with his performance, and I wanted to see if he could repeat that and set conclusions, now I have to wait for the diagnosis”
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