Manchester United have agreed a deal with Serie A side Atalanta to sign rising Danish star striker Rasmus Hojlund in a blockbuster £72m deal. The hugely promising 20-year-old will move to Old Trafford for an initial fee of £64m with a potential increase of up to £8m.
Hojlund’s impressive performances at Atalanta during the 2022–2023 season, where he scored 10 goals in 34 appearances, caught the attention of United manager Erik ten Hag. The young striker’s contract with United will run for five years, with an option for an additional season, signaling the club’s commitment to developing his talent for the long term.
Ten Hague’s pursuit of attacking reinforcements has been fruitful this summer, with Hojlund becoming Manchester United’s third big signing. The Danish forward’s arrival follows the signings of midfielder Mason Mount from Chelsea for £55m and Inter Milan goalkeeper Andre Ona for £47.2m. The club’s total summer spending is now at least £166.2m, with potential spending rising to £180m.
Manchester United’s decision to secure Hojlund’s signature was bolstered by his impressive performances, making him Ten Hague’s preferred choice for the striking position. The move marks Tottenham’s abandonment of their pursuit of Harry Kane, which was considered financially prohibitive and logistically challenging.
While the deal with Atlanta is not yet fully finalized, it is expected that agreeing to personal terms will be a smooth process. Hojlund’s timely acquisition is in line with Den Haag’s desire to get the striker on board before the start of the season, ensuring plenty of time for integration and preparation.
Rasmus Hojlund’s rise to popularity has been meteoric. Starting his senior career in Copenhagen and then having a successful stint with Austrian side Sturm Graz, the Danish striker’s goalscoring prowess and ability quickly attracted the attention of top European clubs.
In Atlanta, he further demonstrated his talent, impressing both domestically and internationally. His debut for the Danish national team in 2022 saw him score six goals in six games during the Euro 2024 qualifiers.
As the transfer closes in on completion, Hojlund is set to link up with his new team in time for Manchester United’s final pre-season friendlies against Lens and Athletic Bilbao. The Premier League giants open their 2023-2024 season against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Old Trafford on August 14.
