Atalanta BC have reportedly informed Manchester United that a deal for in-demand centre-forward Rasmus Hojlund this summer will cost the Red Devils in the region of £86m.
The 20-year-old's future is currently the subject of much speculation, with Man United thought to be determined to bring him to Old Trafford during this summer's transfer window.
There have been suggestions that a deal could be done for a fee in the region of £45m for a player who scored nine goals and registered four assists in 32 Serie A appearances during the 2022-23 campaign.
However, according to the Daily Mail, Atalanta value Hojlund at close to £86m, with Chelsea also now carefully monitoring the situation surrounding the Denmark international.
The report claims that the Serie A outfit held a meeting earlier this week to discuss the forward and have now named their price, which is almost double what Man United had originally had in mind.
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There have recently been suggestions that Hojlund has held a series of video calls with Red Devils head coach Erik ten Hag this summer to discuss a move to Old Trafford.
However, the forward has insisted that he has not spoken to Ten Hag, but he did appear to open the door to a move to the Red Devils during the summer market.
Hojlund only arrived at Atalanta from Sturm Graz last August, and he managed 10 goals and four assists in 34 appearances for the Italian side during the 2022-23 campaign.
The striker also had an impressive record at Sturm Graz, scoring 12 goals and registering four assists in 21 appearances, while he has netted five goals in four appearances for Denmark.
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Man United's main priority for this summer's transfer window is to bring in a centre-forward, while there have been claims that two new strikers could arrive.
However, a move for Harry Kane now appears to be off the table, with Tottenham Hotspur refusing to sell the England captain to a domestic rival despite the fact that his contract will expire next summer.
Napoli's Victor Osimhen and Eintracht Frankfurt's Randal Kolo Muani could ultimately be priced out of switches away from their respective clubs, meanwhile, after impressive 2022-23 seasons.
Man United are making moves in the market, though, with a deal for Napoli's Kim Min-jae thought to be close to completion, with the transfer potentially occurring at the start of July.
The Red Devils, who could possibly have Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani as their new owner in the near future, have also allegedly had an offer turned down by Chelsea for Mason Mount.
Matt Law
