A new name has entered the frame in Manchester United 's search for a new striker this summer – Atalanta forward Rasmus Hojlund.
The Denmark international has impressed this season, with eight goals for the Serie A side, and has emerged as an alternative option for United boss Erik ten Hag, for whom a new striker is a priority.
United have been linked with moves for Tottenham and England striker Harry Kane, and Napoli and Nigeria forward Victor Osimhen, but Hojlund would represent a cheaper option than both.
While Spurs would want in excess of £100million for Kane and Napoli in the region of £80m for Osimhen, 20-year-old Hojlund - who scored five goals in Denmark's two Euro 2024 qualifiers recently - could be available for as little as £60m this summer.
Yet United will face competition from Europe's top clubs if they decide to pursue Hojlund this summer, with Real Madrid, Barcelona, Arsenal, Bayern Munich, Juventus and Chelsea all monitoring his situation.
United, along with Real Madrid, are understood to have made an initial enquiry to Atalanta about Hojlund's availability this summer, with Ten Hag keen to keep all options open in his pursuit of a new forward.
United's reliance on Marcus Rashford for goals this season has underlined their need to recruit a new front man to lead their attack, following Cristiano Ronaldo's acrimonious exit last November and Anthony Martial's inability to remain fit for a sustained period.
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While Rashford has a career-best 28 goals to his name this season, there is an acceptance at United that they cannot continue to depend on him to find the net, particularly with his favoured position being on the left side of a front three.
With Antony having nailed down the slot on the right side of United's attack with improved displays in recent weeks, Bruno Fernandes in the playmaker role, supported by Casemiro and Christian Eriksen in midfield, the No.9 position is the one that needs to be addressed in the upcoming transfer window.
United want their transfer business done early this summer, ahead of their 10-day tour of the US, which begins on July 20, but are wary of dealing with Spurs, given Manchester City's failed pursuit of Kane two years ago.
Osimhen, who has 26 goals from 31 appearances this season, would represent a cheaper option, with his industry off the ball and prolific scoring ability making him the perfect fit for Ten Hag's demands at United.
At 24, he also represents a better long-term investment than Kane, who turns 30 this summer, as does Hojlund, with Ten Hag ultimately having the final say on who United decide to pursue, as he embarks on the second phase of his rebuild.
