As per The Athletic, Manchester United have held detailed talks with Atalanta’s Rasmus Højlund (20) and Frankfurt’s Randal Kolo Muani (24) over a potential transfer this summer.
Hojlund is seen as the more likely of the two to sign for the Red Devils, with Atalanta expected to demand a lesser fee for the Dane than the €80m (£68.7m) Frankfurt are looking for to sign their top goalscorer this season, after he signed on a free transfer from his boyhood club Nantes last summer.
Both strikers have had impressive debut seasons at their respective sides, particularly Muani, who racked up an outstanding 15 goals and 11 assists in the League, more goal contributions than any other player in the Bundesliga. Meanwhile, after signing for £14.5m from Austrian side Sturm Graz in August, the Danish international has only scored eight goals in 19 starts in the Serie A for La Dea this year, however has caught the eye of many clubs around Europe due to his frightening movement, speed, and power.
Further highlighting their remarkable rise over the past year, according to Transfermarkt, each strikers market value has at least tripled from May 2022-March 2023. The Frenchman’s has risen from €16m to €65m, whilst the precocious Højlund has seen his value skyrocket from just €4.5m to €36m.
United’s football director John Murtough has been in detailed talks with various transfer targets since his side secured Champions League football ahead of next season, and is said to have spoken several times to both Atalanta and Frankfurt, who are both seen as willing to sell their players should the right price be met.
Erik ten Hag is reportdedly keen on bringing in both an experienced and young striker alongside one another this summer, and has already expressed his interest to the board over signing Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane and Napoli’s Victor Osimhen.
However, both moves are becoming increasingly unlikely, with Spurs chairman Daniel Levy determined not to sell his club’s record goalscorer to a Premier League rival, whilst Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has stated their is ‘no way’ he would sell the Nigerian this summer, and other reports claiming that the Scudetto holders would demand a fee of €150m.
Travis Levison | Get Football
