Manchester United football director John Murtough is holding extensive talks with Atalanta over a possible deal for striker Rasmus Hojlund.
The Manchester Evening News revealed last month the United manager Erik ten Hag has already spoken to Hojlund, 20, via video calls.
Hojlund and Inter Milan goalkeeper Andre Onana are now United's principal targets for up front and in goal. Bergamo, where Atalanta play, and Milan are around 32 miles apart.
Murtough is believed to have met Atalanta officials amid suggestions Hojlund is valued at €100million (£85.39m).
Also read: There is a clear plan for United to sign Onana
United have turned their attention to Hojlund as they were discouraged from bidding for Harry Kane amid Tottenham's refusal to sell their talisman to another Premier League side.
Well-placed United sources said they would not "play games" with Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy, who is infamous for driving a hard bargain.
United are also interested in Eintracht Frankfurt and France goalscorer Randal Kolo Muani as an alternative. The Manchester Evening News revealed in March United were keeping tabs on Hojlund and Muani.
Murtough led discussions during negotiations for the £60million signing of Mason Mount and refused to budge on United's final offer of an up-front fee of £55m.
Denmark international Hojlund only joined Atalanta from Sturm Graz last year and he is under contract until 2027. Hojlund scored 10 goals in 34 games for the Serie A side and he has already pillaged six goals in five appearances for Denmark.
Ten Hag's agent is also attempting to help engineer a transfer to United for Hojlund. Kees Vos, head of the SEG International agency, is believed to have quietly taken over representation of Hojlund since May.
Vos became the representative of former United youngster Zidane Iqbal in May and promised to secure him a move to the Eredivisie. Iqbal joined FC Utrecht last month.
The Dutchman also oversaw Cody Gakpo's mid-season transfer from PSV Eindhoven to Liverpool months after United considered a move for the winger.
Murtough has discussed the potential parameters of a deal for Onana, 27, with Inter but it is understood the figures touted are below those that have been reported in the Italian media.
