First bid rejected – Man Utd see £30m bid rejected for top striker target as significant price tag drop revealed

Erik ten Hag is anxious to recruit a striker this summer, but all of their reported targets were supposed to be out of reach given United’s limited spending power of £120 million.

£55 million of that budget has already been spent on Mason Mount, and another large portion could be used to buy Inter goalkeeper Andre Onana, though they are also looking at cheaper alternatives.

Victor Osimhen, Randal Kolo Muani, and Harry Kane have all been linked with moves to Old Trafford, but all would cost more than United has available.

Rasmus Hojlund appeared to be too expensive as well, with transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano reporting last month that Atalanta wanted at least €60 million for their prized asset.

“I’m told Manchester United have now had direct contact with Atalanta over the potential signing of Hojlund,” Romano tweeted. They believe personal terms will not be an issue, and the mood is upbeat because Hojlund wants to transfer to Old Trafford.

“The important thing now is Atalanta’s price demands – they have set a starting price of €60m, but it may now have risen to €70m, so it could be complicated.”

“However, United has made him a concrete target because Erik ten Hag really likes him – it’s not advanced yet, but the interest is strong, so let’s see how things develop.”

According to Corriere dello Sport, United made an opening approach of €35 million (£30 million), which would have been laughed off the phone by Atalanta.

Despite the fact that the proposal was rejected, the report indicates that the Serie A club has considerably reduced the price of the Denmark international to merely €45 million (£38.6 million).

Hojlund only joined Atalanta from Sturm Graz last summer, and he has four years left on his deal with the Italian club.