Manchester United Submit Bid for Atalanta Striker Rasmus Hojlund

3 July, 2023

Manchester United’s ambition to strengthen their squad has been evident as they swiftly agreed to a £60m deal to acquire the services of Mason Mount. Determined to make a splash in the summer transfer market, the Red Devils have recently made a bid to sign Rasmus Hojlund from Atalanta, a Serie A team.

Reports from Corriere Dello Sport reveal that United’s initial offer of €35m (£30m) was unfortunately turned down. To secure the talented player, it appears that United will need to increase their bid to €45m with an additional €12m in bonuses (£39m + £10m). Whether or not Erik ten Hag’s side will come back with a revised offer remains uncertain. Follow your favourite Premier League team with attractive football betting odds from Nextbet

Often drawing comparisons to fellow Norwegian forward Erling Haaland, Hojlund would undoubtedly be an exceptional addition to Manchester United’s frontline. At just 20 years old, the young talent impressively scored 16 goals in 42 club appearances last season, with nine of them coming in Serie A.

While this goal tally may not necessarily set Old Trafford ablaze, it is clear that Manchester United could benefit from investing in future talent. The club has previously relied on aging forwards such as Edinson Cavani, Radamel Falcao, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, and even Cristiano Ronaldo, with limited success. It is now time to shift focus towards planning for the future by combining Hojlund, who scout Jacek Kulig describes as a “monster in the making,” with the incoming Mason Mount. This promising duo has the potential to reignite Manchester United’s trophy-winning era.

In signing Mason Mount, Manchester United secures a remarkable offensive talent. While the English international contributed to only nine goals last season, his performance in the 2021/22 campaign was outstanding, with 13 goals and 16 assists in 53 appearances. If Mount replicates this form at Old Trafford, it will undoubtedly benefit the budding Hojlund.

Notably, Atalanta’s top assist provider last season was former Premier League player Ademola Lookman, with eight assists. Lookman averaged 1.3 key passes per game and created ten significant scoring opportunities throughout the league season. These statistics suggest that had Hojlund been surrounded by a more proficient chance creator, his goal tally would likely have been higher.

This is where Mason Mount comes into the picture. The attacking midfielder from Chelsea averaged 1.8 key passes per match last season, and in the 2020/21 season, he created 2.4 key passes per game, resulting in 13 significant scoring opportunities. Mount consistently brings creativity to the team he plays for, and with an explosive striker like Hojlund ahead of him, the partnership between the two players could be immensely beneficial.

In the previous season, Manchester United scored the fewest goals (58) among the top six teams in the Premier League. Securing a top-four finish was perhaps a stroke of luck for them. However, this statistic underscores the urgent need for players like Hojlund and Mount in the squad.

The combination of Hojlund and Mount has the potential to elevate Erik ten Hag’s side to new performance levels, not witnessed since the Dutchman’s arrival in the Premier League. Manchester United’s pursuit of these two promising talents signifies their determination to reclaim their position at the pinnacle of English football. Get the latest updates from the Premier League only on Nextbet Sports