‘Man United to sign A-list striker after Rasmus Hojlund offer is accepted’
Man United will push forward in their efforts to sign a new first-choice striker after Rasmus Hojlund is sold, according to their former chief scout.
Mick Brown, who spent over a decade at Old Trafford during the club’s most successful period and remains very well-connected there, exclusively told Football Insider that the 22-year-old’s sale will be used to fund their next incoming deal.
Ruben Amorim’s side are keeping tabs on the likes of Ollie Watkins, Nicolas Jackson and Benjamin Sesko as they remain determined to strengthen up front.
Football Insider revealed on 4 July that Watkins’ move to United hinges on Hojlund’s future, with the club aiming to move him on before making other moves.
Big-money deals for Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo this summer have taken big chunks out of the budget at Old Trafford, with sales now the focus.
Brown told Football Insider in April that Hojlund could leave United for a discounted fee, below their original £50million asking price, amid interest from Juventus.
Man United plan to accept Rasmus Hojlund offer
Brown told Football Insider in May that Hojlund is unlikely to remain at Man United beyond the summer transfer window as Amorim is keen to move him on.
The former scout, who has a wealth of experience in top-level player recruitment and also worked for the likes of West Ham, Tottenham and Aston Villa, insisted that
“United want to sign a striker, everybody knows that,” he told Football Insider.
“The problem they’re having is, there aren’t that many top-class options available, and the ones who might be are going to cost a lot of money.
“It’s hard to know whether United are willing to spend or not at the moment.
“One second they’re pleading poverty and the next they’re spending £60million on players.
“I think after the deals for Cunha and Mbeumo, their budget is going to have been hit.
“So that means they’re going to look at some of the players in their squad, see if there is any interest, and try to move them on to bring in some extra funds.
“Rasmus Hojlund is one of those they’ve been looking at selling.
“Of course, the price will have to be right because he cost them £70million and they want to recoup a fair bit of what they paid.
“But it might be that once Hojlund is sold, they can move on to signing that new striker.”
Crystal Palace respond to interest in Jean-Philippe Mateta
Amid ongoing speculation about Hojlund’s future at Old Trafford, work is being put in behind the scenes to identify his replacement with Jean-Philippe Mateta on their radar.
Football Insider revealed on 21 July that Crystal Palace plan to keep Mateta despite United’s interest and will do all they can to keep him at Selhurst Park.
Liverpool had also been linked with a move for the Frenchman after holding talks with his representatives in Paris last week as interest continues to grow.
Meanwhile, Brown told Football Insider on 12 June that Man United are keeping tabs on Mateta as Palace continue in contract talks.
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