Rasmus Hojlund
Manchester United agree deal sign Denmark striker Rasmus Hojlund from Atalanta in £72m deal
In a massive transfer coup, Manchester United has successfully landed the highly sought-after 20-year-old talent, Hojlund, from Atalanta. The club reportedly sealed the deal for a staggering £64m, with an additional £8m in potential add-ons, making it a headline-making acquisition.
Hojlund’s arrival at Old Trafford comes after an impressive season with Atalanta, during which he showcased his prowess by scoring an impressive tally of 10 goals in 34 appearances. The young striker’s new contract with Manchester United spans five years, with an option for an additional season, a testament to the club’s belief in his long-term potential.
For United manager, Erik ten Hag, Hojlund marks the third high-profile signing of the summer, following the earlier arrivals of midfielder Mason Mount from Chelsea for £55m and Inter Milan goalkeeper Andre Onana for £47.2m. Hojlund emerged as Ten Hag’s top choice for the coveted striking position, ultimately trumping speculation surrounding Tottenham’s Harry Kane, whose hefty price tag and complexities led to United ruling out a move.
Although negotiations for the transfer are nearing completion, personal terms are not expected to pose a hurdle. This acquisition fulfills Ten Hag’s wish of securing a forward before the start of the season, with the club expressing satisfaction that their summer transfer activity, anchored by Mount, Onana, and Hojlund, is substantially concluded.
Manchester United’s investment in Hojlund brings their total spending for the summer window to at least £166.2m, with a potential rise to £180m. The club’s ambitious transfer campaign underscores their determination to strengthen their squad significantly ahead of the upcoming season.
Rasmus Højlund to Manchester United, here we go! Agreement reached right now with Atalanta 🚨🔴🇩🇰 #MUFC
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 29, 2023
Package will be around €70m with add ons, clubs preparing documents in the next 24 hours.
Højlund agreed 5 year deal ten days ago as he only wanted Manchester United. pic.twitter.com/MVN0ubeH7O
Hojlund’s journey to stardom commenced at Copenhagen, where he made his Danish Superliga debut at a tender age of 17 in 2020. Subsequently, he made a move to Austrian side Sturm Graz, where his goal-scoring prowess attracted attention, leading to his eventual switch to Atalanta for a remarkable fee of £15m – a tenfold increase in just six months.
The young striker’s exceptional performances also translated to the international stage, earning him an international debut in 2022. Hojlund’s remarkable run continued as he scored six goals in six games during the Euro 2024 qualifying campaign, solidifying his reputation as a rising star in the football world.
While Paris St-Germain reportedly expressed interest in Hojlund as a potential replacement for French captain Kylian Mbappe, United emerged as the triumphant bidder, securing the services of the promising Danish talent.
Pending the timely completion of the transfer, Hojlund might be available for contention in Manchester United’s final pre-season friendlies against Lens and Athletic Bilbao in Dublin, providing an exciting glimpse of the club’s newest addition to their fervent supporters.