Manchester United would favour a move for Randal Kolo Muani over Rasmus Hojlund despite making significant progress on a deal for the Atalanta striker, it has now been claimed.
Man Utd are currently focusing on signing a striker now they have agreed to sign Andre Onana to fill their goalkeeping vacancy. In that regard, the solution could also come from Serie A, since there have been plenty of developments regarding Hojlund.
Tuesday’s transfer gossip indicated that Man Utd were closing in on a deal for the Atalanta striker. Updates as the day has progressed have included news that Hojlund wants to join Man Utd and has therefore agreed personal terms with them.An opening offer of around €50m (£43m) is believed to be imminent. However, it will fall below Atalanta’s asking price, which may force Man Utd to undo all their hard work.
Indeed, the latest from ESPN suggests Man Utd could turn their back on a deal for Hojlund if Atalanta demand a €70m (£60m) transfer fee, which they feel would be extortionate for a player with fewer than 100 senior appearances.Ad
Besides, the fresh report claims Erik ten Hag would actually prefer to sign Randal Kolo Muani from Eintracht Frankfurt, as opposed to Hojlund.
Kolo Muani was more prolific for his club than Hojlund last season, scoring 23 goals in contrast to 10. Therefore, Man Utd are working on a separate deal for the France international.
Man Utd keen on Kolo Muani as PSG pull out
Ironically, he would actually cost more than Hojlund. According to Sky Germany, Eintracht Frankfurt are holding out for a €100m (£86m) fee, just a year after snapping him up on a free transfer from Nantes.
But in terms of value for money, a 24-year-old who has hit double figures of goals for the past three seasons running may be more worthy of a high price tag than a 20-year-old who only did so for the first time in the season just gone.One club who will not be meeting the €100m valuation of Kolo Muani would be PSG, who have therefore withdrawn their interest. Man Utd, though, remain in the hunt per Sky Germany.
Coupled with the follow-up from ESPN, that information seems to suggest that Kolo Muani might be the man Ten Hag wants, rather than Hojlund.
It remains to be seen if they will sanction a nine-figure swoop for Kolo Muani, though. They have already shied away from deals for Victor Osimhen or Harry Kane because of similarly high asking prices from Napoli and Tottenham respectively.Elsewhere, The Athletic has also warned that Man Utd will take time before committing to any kind of huge move for Hojlund – who is coincidentally revealed to also be an option for PSG.
David Ornstein’s report has reiterated that Kolo Muani is under consideration while Man Utd keep working on various options.
