In a significant boost to their attacking prowess, Manchester United has reached a momentous £72m agreement with Serie A outfit Atalanta to secure the services of Danish prodigy Rasmus Hojlund. The 20-year-old striker will be making his way to the historic Old Trafford in a deal worth £64m upfront, with an additional £8m contingent on performance-based add-ons.
Hojlund’s remarkable rise to prominence began in 2022 when he joined Atalanta, where he demonstrated his goal-scoring prowess by notching an impressive tally of 10 goals in 34 appearances during the previous season. His eye-catching performances caught the attention of football enthusiasts worldwide, and it didn’t take long for Manchester United’s manager, Erik ten Hag, to identify him as the perfect fit for the striking position.
The highly anticipated deal comes as the third signing of the summer for the Red Devils, following the acquisitions of talented midfielder Mason Mount from Chelsea for £55m and the experienced Inter Milan goalkeeper, Andre Onana, for £47.2m. While the club had initially explored the possibility of acquiring Tottenham’s Harry Kane, they ultimately concluded that securing Hojlund was a more prudent and financially viable option.
With Hojlund’s addition, Erik ten Hag’s wish of bolstering the forward line before the commencement of the new season will come true. The manager now believes that with Mount, Onana, and Hojlund in the squad, the majority of United’s summer transfer business has been successfully concluded. The club’s total expenditure for the summer now stands at a substantial £166.2m, with the potential to reach £180m.
While Paris St-Germain reportedly expressed interest in the Danish striker as a potential replacement for Kylian Mbappe, it was Manchester United that emerged victorious in the race to secure his signature. Hojlund’s stellar performances in both domestic and international arenas, having scored six goals in six appearances during Euro 2024 qualifiers, have marked him as one of Europe’s most promising young talents.
Hojlund’s football journey commenced at Copenhagen, where he made his Danish Superliga debut at the tender age of 17 in 2020. After two years with Copenhagen, he embarked on a stint with Austrian side Sturm Graz, where he showcased his goal-scoring prowess, finding the net nine times in just 17 starts during a six-month stay. Atalanta recognized his immense potential and secured his services for a substantial fee of £15m.
The completion of Hojlund’s transfer in time will provide an opportunity for him to feature in Manchester United’s final pre-season friendlies against Lens and Athletic Bilbao. Supporters eagerly await his debut, and his arrival has generated palpable excitement among fans and players alike.
As the Red Devils gear up for the commencement of the 2023-24 Premier League season, their opening fixture against Wolverhampton Wanderers on 14th August at 20:00 BST will see Hojlund potentially making his much-anticipated debut in front of the Old Trafford faithful.
Manchester United’s acquisition of Rasmus Hojlund is a clear signal of the club’s intent to reinforce their attacking options and build a formidable squad for the upcoming season. The Danish sensation’s arrival has ignited hope and optimism among the fans, who eagerly anticipate witnessing his talent and flair on the hallowed grounds of Old Trafford.
