Hojlund deal close as Ten Hag targets fresh firepower

LAS VEGAS — Manchester United has reportedly agreed a deal worth an initial 64 million pounds to sign Atalanta striker Rasmus Hojlund.

The Denmark international is the third major arrival at Old Trafford during the summer transfer window after the signings of Chelsea midfielder Mason Mount and Inter Milan goalkeeper Andre Onana.

United is understood to have agreed a fee of 64 million pounds ($82 million) for Hojlund, with a further 8 million pounds in add-ons.

The 20-year-old is reported to have agreed terms on a five-year deal with the option of a further season.

Hojlund joined Atalanta in August 2022 from Austrian club Sturm Graz for a reported 17 million euros ($19 million). He scored nine goals in 32 appearances in Serie A last season.

United manager Erik ten Hag was tight-lipped about the reports when quizzed on Saturday ahead of Sunday's friendly against Borussia Dortmund in Las Vegas.

"I can't talk about the player who is still under contract (with) another club," said the Dutchman.

However, Ten Hag said that he hoped Mount and Onana would be joined by a new forward, as he tries to get United back in contention at the top of the English Premier League table.

"With this squad, we built a foundation last season... now we have to find the right players to fit in and who can help to raise the bar. I think we succeeded with Andre Onana, we succeeded with Mason Mount and now we are looking for a striker," he said.

The Red Devils finished third in the Premier League but scored just 58 goals — 36 fewer than champion Manchester City.

Ten Hag urged his English forward Marcus Rashford to step up his game.

Rashford, who prefers to play wide on the left, scored 17 goals in 35 Premier League appearances last season and had 30 goals in 56 in all competitions.

"Also for Rashy, we expect to raise the bar. He had a good season, but that doesn't give guarantees for another great season. So everything has to be right. First, his base, his foundation, attitude, lifestyle, etc. Giving every training his best, but also to work on his game and work on the way he plays for himself but in the team.

"So what we are looking for is goals and Rashy, at this moment, he proved he has a very good goalscoring record. But also for him, he wants to make the next step and score more goals than the last season," he said.

United faces Wolves at home in its opening Premier League fixture on Aug 14.

Captain conundrum

Virgil van Dijk said on Saturday he was confident that Liverpool's players will step up to fill the void left by Jordan Henderson and said it would be "an honor" to succeed him as captain.

England midfielder Henderson moved to the Saudi Pro League last week and Dutch defender Van Dijk is widely tipped to take over as skipper.

"Obviously he's going to be a big miss for us as a player and definitely as a leader and a captain, someone who's so important for us and successful at the club over the last years," Van Dijk said in Singapore, where Liverpool defeated Leicester City 4-0 on Sunday.

Henderson, James Milner and Roberto Firmino have all departed this summer, but Van Dijk says others in the squad will make up for it when it comes to leadership.

"Definitely we have a lot of players who can take that responsibility and have to take that responsibility, so I am confident that will happen," Van Dijk, 32, added.

Van Dijk was clear about what it would mean to him if he was asked to take the armband permanently.

"Obviously I have captained the side multiple times over the last couple of years and it's always a proud moment to do that," he said. "We'll see what the future brings but it would be a huge honor to captain the side."

Van Dijk wore the captain's armband against Leicester, but Reds manager Jurgen Klopp was giving little away beyond that.

"I know my decision already but I have to tell it first to the players... before I speak in public about it," said the German.

"It's an important decision but more important is the general leadership group we create. It's a big change for us."

Klopp remained optimistic despite the changes.

"Things have to change at some point, that's clear as you can't expect things to go on without any changes or developments," he said.

"I can see a lot of positive signs in training and the games as well."

Agencies