Manchester United preparing opening bid for Rasmus Hojlund
Manchester United will turn their attention to Atalanta striker Rasmus Hojlund after securing Onana on a five-year deal. There is also the option of an extra year as part of it.
Hojlund has agreed terms with Manchester United and wants the move, but Atalanta are intent on getting a huge fee. We heard some reports a few weeks back of potential offers around €35-40m. That’s nowhere near what Atalanta would accept. It’s going to take close to €70m and the Serie A side also expect a cash deal.
Now we have to understand whether the price comes down, especially with the player keen. There’s definitely a gulf in valuation, but that was the same with Mason Mount and Manchester United eventually got that deal done. They’re now preparing an opening bid for Hojlund so let’s see if the two clubs can end up reaching an agreement.
Manchester United could also move for defensive midfielder and Fiorentina’s Sofyan Amrabat is one target, especially if Fred or Donny van de Beek leave. But the priority is a forward. All effort, and budget, will be put to that next.
The latest potential ins and outs at Liverpool
Mo Salah won’t leave Liverpool this summer. It’s true there is Saudi interest, but it’s a similar situation to Son at Spurs, as exclusively revealed.
Both names will be approached in 2024. Son has already said he won’t be leaving Spurs this summer and Saudi dealmakers always knew this.
Not every target is for this window. The project is patient. The strategy behind the recruitment works like any other club: there is window planning.
Meanwhile, Fabinho is closing in on a move to Al-Ittihad. That’s why a joint decision was made by the club and player not to bring him to Germany for pre-season. The package had needed some negotiation but Liverpool won’t stand in Fabinho’s way for the right fee. Fabinho played under Al-Ittihad manager Nuno at Rio Ave. The ex-Spurs and Wolves boss has been influential in the deal.
Jordan Henderson to Al-Ettifaq has been a little more complicated because Steven Gerrard’s club aren’t one of PIF’s so-called ‘big four’ and that means they are working with less budget. They wanted Henderson on a free, but Liverpool value their captain at around £20m. It is still felt a compromise will be found.
Henderson spoke with Jurgen Klopp, who had no issue taking him to Germany for pre-season because he is well aware of what a top professional the England midfielder is.
Henderson actually rejected Al-Ettifaq’s first offer and told some within Liverpool’s senior hierarchy he was focused on the new season and felt staying would best aid his Euro 2024 chances. But Al-Ettifaq came back with an improved offer and Henderson now feels the game time they can offer is more beneficial than staying at Anfield.
Liverpool will look for a defensive midfielder, and I have already mentioned Lavia above. And a left-sided centre-back is possible. Levi Colwill is a player Liverpool really appreciate but Chelsea’s position is that he is not for sale.