Manchester United 'reach agreement' with Atalanta over Rasmus Hojlund transfer

Manchester United have reached an agreement with Serie A side Atalanta over the signing of striker Rasmus Hojlund; 20-year-old was left out of the squad that played Bournemouth in a pre-season friendly on Saturday

The club launched their first bid for the Denmark striker earlier this week, with PSG also interested in the attacker.

Their opening bid was worth £50 million, amid reports that Atalanta would demand up to £86 million to sell one of their prized assets.

BBC Sport claimed that United would stick by their own valuation of the striker and not exceed it, although PSG's late interest threw a spanner into the works for Erik ten Hag's side.

Taking to Twitter, Romano reported that United have now reached a full agreement with Atalanta over a transfer for Hojlund, and revealed the financial details behind the deal.

He wrote: "Rasmus Hojlund to Manchester United, here we go! Agreement reached right now with Atalanta.

"Package will be around €70 million with add-ons, club preparing documents in the next 24 hours.

"Hojlund agreed five year deal 10 days ago as he only wanted Manchester United."

Rasmus Højlund to Manchester United, here we go! Agreement reached right now with Atalanta 🚨🔴🇩🇰 #MUFC

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

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 29, 2023

Rasmus Hojlund has captured the imagination after an encouraging season in Serie A and Manchester United are betting on the 20-year-old talent to be the next superstar striker in European football. But how can they get the best from the young Dane?

Sturm Graz's tactics demanded Hojlund make penetrative runs in behind the opposition defence. "That needs a lot of sprints and a lot of quick decisions from our strikers, and I think those are big strengths of Rasmus," head coach Christian Ilzer told Sky Sports.

"I think it was key that our philosophy and style fitted his skillset perfectly so he came into a good environment. Ras was a great addition to our team with his abilities. It was his speed, his general physique and his willingness to work hard against the ball."

Erik ten Hag will welcome a pressing forward with pace but patience will be required. Hojlund has promise but United need to see significant progression to justify this outlay. He made that progress at Sturm Graz and again with Atalanta. This next step is the key one.