Ten Hag in dreamland as Atalanta cave on Man Utd offer for Rasmus Hojlund; contract length, salary details emerge

Manchester United are expected to see an opening offer for Rasmus Hojlund accepted this week after reports claimed Atalanta had caved in over his exit and a compromise was reached over his fee.

The Red Devils are desperate to add more firepower to their ranks with  Marcus Rashford (30 goals), the only United attacker to break into double figures last season.

And with Anthony Martial failing to convince and now likely to leave, Erik ten Hag has made no secret of his desire to bring in a new No 9.

While the likes of Harry Kane, Victor Osimhen and Randal Kolo Muani have all been discussed, it is Hojlund who has emerged as United’s top target. Drawing comparisons with Erling Haaland, the 20-year-old striker has netted six times in six matches for Denmark.

His jostling, powerful style ought to suit United down to the ground. And with his ability to hold up the ball and bring others into play, he looks a perfect addition for United’s attack.

However, settling on a deal with Atalanta has proved troublesome. While United are yet to officially lodge a bit, the two clubs have been talking at great length in the background about the deal.

United reportedly value Hojlund, who struck 10 goals in 34 appearances for Atalanta last season, at around the €50m to €60m mark.

Atalanta, understandably, are keen to milk the player’s sale for all he is worth. To that end, the Bergamo outfit’s coach Gian Piero Gasperini spoke recently about his belief that Hojlund should be valued at around the €100m mark.

Clearly, that valuation gap has created something of an issue. And United’s efforts to include the likes of Mason Greenwood or Amad Diallo as part of the deal have also fallen on deaf ears.

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Man Utd close to agreeing deal for Rasmus Hojliund 

However, Atalanta have always been of the belief that Hojlund will go. And with the striker also reportedly making clear his wish to leave for Old Trafford, it’s reported he has been promised a bumper salary rise.

To that end, the striker, who reportedly earns a modest £10,000 a week in Italy, will see his wages shoot up 800 per cent. That’s after a report last week revealed a deal worth £80,000 a week has been proposed, and since accepted by Hojlund.

Revealing more about the proposal Hojlund has accepted, Fabrizio Romano says Manchester United have reached an agreement on terms over a five-year deal to 2028. That contract will include the option of an extra season to 2029.

In his update, he admits there remains some negotiating to be done over the fee, but insists United are ‘not entertaining €90m or 100m games’.

However, a fresh update on the saga comes from another Italian journalist Alfredo Pedulla. He claims the Red Devils will officially launch their offer for Hojlund ‘before Thursday’.

Furthermore, he claims Atalanta are poised to accept the Red Devils’ proposition with some common ground being found on the price.

“Ten Hag himself in the last conference specified the importance of quickly having the new striker,” Pedulla started.

“Based on our information, Manchester United will present a proposal not far from €70m plus bonuses to get closer to €75m.”

Revealing the offer is to be accepted by the Serie A side, he added: “The figure considered fair by Atalanta to give the green light. The rumours of a request for €85m are groundless, the aforementioned basis may be the right one to start with the agreements.”

Atalanta have already moved to replace Hojlund by striking a deal worth an initial €28m for Almeria striker El Bilal Toure. The Malian, who was also a target for Everton, will seal his move in the coming days. With bonuses, the deal could reach €31m.

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