Electric Man Utd attacker up for grabs as Ten Hag devises cunning plan to beat Chelsea in striker pursuit

Erik ten Hag has come up with a daring new plan to sign Rasmus Hojlund ahead of Chelsea and it involves potentially sending a great Manchester United player to Italy, according to one source.

After being priced out of moves for Napoli star Victor Osimhen and Tottenham’s Harry Kane, Man Utd reduced their striker shortlist to two names – Hojlund and Goncalo Ramos. On Thursday, a report from The Telegraph revealed Ten Hag had made a final decision on the club’s striker search, making Hojlund his ultimate target.

Reports in Italy state Man Utd have already had an opening offer worth €35million (£30m) for Hojlund rejected. But they are now planning to come back with an improved £50m bid, which should meet Atalanta’s asking price.

Although, it is not guaranteed that the Serie A star will end up at Old Trafford. On Sunday, it emerged that Chelsea had joined Man Utd in the chase for Hojlund. The Blues are looking to give new boss Mauricio Pochettino a high-quality striker, with Romelu Lukaku looking to go back to Italy and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang aiming to force his way out of Stamford Bridge this summer.

Chelsea setting their sights on Hojlund has forced Man Utd chiefs to eye up Eintracht Frankfurt ace Randal Kolo Muani as a possible backup option. But Ten Hag remains determined to land his primary target, Hojlund, and has therefore come up with a new scheme.

According to Sky Sports’ live transfer blog (10/07 at 12:49), Ten Hag and Man Utd are willing to loan exciting winger Amad Diallo back to Atalanta as part of the £50m package that will see Hojlund end up arriving in Manchester.

READ MORE: Man Utd set price tag for Tottenham, Aston Villa target after Ten Hag rocks player with brutal decision

Of course, Man Utd signed Diallo from Atalanta in January 2021 for an initial £19m. As per BBC Sport, the deal had the potential to rise to £37.2m depending on add-ons.

Atalanta would be delighted to have the 20-year-old back as they know just how talented he is and exactly how to help him shine.

Amad Diallo to head back to Italy?

The one caveat is that Ten Hag wants to take a look at Diallo in Man Utd’s pre-season training camp first. This suggests that if Diallo and Hojlund are to go in opposite directions this summer, it will not happen for a few more weeks.

Diallo is hot property this summer following his brilliant loan spell with Sunderland last term. He managed 14 goals and four assists in 42 games, helping Sunderland reach the play-offs. They were ultimately beaten in the semi-final by eventual winners Luton Town.

Diallo has signalled his desire to go back to Sunderland on loan for the 2023-24 campaign as he had a great time there and wants to help them gain promotion back to the top flight. But now there is the possibility of him going back to Italy instead.

Of course, given the fact the Ivorian is a wide man, he would not be a direct replacement for Hojlund at Atalanta. Instead, Mason Greenwood has been suggested as a potential centre-forward replacement. Man Utd are still conducting an investigation into whether he should play for them again, and the first part of this process could see him go to Italy on loan.

Meanwhile, Monday’s Euro Paper Talk includes Man Utd wanting a top star ‘at all costs’, and a deal could soon be finalised.