Rasmus Hojlund will receive an initial payment of £64 million from Manchester United to Atalanta, defying the club’s earlier position that it would only spend up to £60 million on the attacker.
The international player from Denmark will sign a contract for five years with the option of an additional year, totaling £72 million with add-ons.
Rasmus Hojlund hasn’t played in English football before, and last season’s Serie A campaign was his first in a top-tier European league, so United’s choice to spend £4 million more than they valued the player may draw criticism. In 32 appearances, the 20-year-old scored nine goals.
Erik ten Hag began the transfer window targeting Tottenham’s Harry Kane before the club pulled out. The total price for Hojlund is only around £28m less than the England captain would cost. Atalanta had reportedly demanded an initial £77m for their player.
Signings of Mason Mount and André Onana
After the signings of Mason Mount and André Onana earlier in the window, Højlund’s addition will take United’s summer spending close to £180m. If the requisite finance is raised via the sale of fringe players, Ten Hag may move to make a fourth addition. Fiorentina’s Sofyan Amrabat, or an alternative defensive midfielder, would be the priority then.
Ten Hag had made no secret of the need for attacking help after his side’s 2-0 loss in a friendly to Real Madrid. United failed to score from any of their 14 attempts under the NRG Stadium roof, an all-too-familiar tale given their problems taking opportunities last season.
Asked if the attacking display in Houston emphasised why they were looking to sign a new striker, Ten Hag said: “Absolutely. There were two things – the pressing can be better from the start and scoring goals. I think we need more players who are capable to be in the one-on-ones and we had the situations of one-on-ones.