Manchester United have reportedly been in contact with Atalanta and Frankfurt over the possibility of signing Rasmus Hojlund and Randal Kolo Muani. Signing a new striker is Erik ten Hag’s top priority this summer, with neither Anthony Martial nor Wout Weghorst deemed good enough or fit enough to lead the line next season. Harry Kane is the No.1 target but there are several significant speedbumps in the way of that transfer happening, not least the England captain’s £100million valuation and Tottenham’s reluctance to sell to a Premier League rival. As such, United are considering multiple alternatives, with The Athletic reporting that Football director John Murtough has held talks concerning the availability of highly-rated duo Hojlund and Kolo Muani.
Hojlund has enjoyed a decent debut season with Atalanta, scoring eight goals and making four assists in 31 Serie A games, whilst also netting five times for Denmark in the last international break. Stats wise, Kolo Muani would be the better option having recorded 23 goals and 17 assists in 43 appearances for Frankfurt, and the 24-year-old also found the back of the net for France enroute to the World Cup final last December. However, Hojlund is more likely to move to Old Trafford given that Kolo Muani’s price tag is expected to be in the region of €80m (£68.7m), which would stretch United’s finances. Moreover, Ten Hag hopes to buy both an experienced and a young and upcoming striker and at just 20-years-old Hojlund fits that bill perfectly and could be signed alongside Kane.
United are already making waves in the transfer market, with reports claiming that they have agreed personal terms with Chelsea midfielder Mason Mount. In the meantime, Ten Hag is still preparing his side for Saturday’s FA Cup final against Manchester City. With a new striker being his top priority this summer, it will be interesting to see if Manchester United can secure the signing of either Rasmus Hojlund or Randal Kolo Muani in the coming weeks.