Manchester United are going to have to negotiate a greatly reduced fee if they do want to add Atalanta's Rasmus Hojlund this summer.
The Red Devils are eyeing more firepower in the transfer market with Erik ten Hag seeking to bring in a major No 9 and potentially a young forward. Hojlund would be seen as the latter, but his rapid rise at the Serie A outfit means they have placed a huge price tag on him.
The Dane, who scored nine times last season, has four-years remaining on his deal in Bergamo, putting Atalanta in a commanding position. They are seeking £86m if they are to sell the 20-year-old, according to the Daily Mail, which would be well beyond United.
They had been hoping to pay around £45m for Hojlund. Ten Hag has several areas he wants to strengthen so is reluctant to spend huge amount on one player, especially one who may not be viewed as an immediate star. The likes of Harry Kane, Victor Osimhen and Dusan Vlahovic are all on the club's shortlist.
United spent well over £200m to bolster their ranks last summer, bringing in the likes of Casemiro, Antony and Lisandro Martinez. Their spending power this summer could be somewhat hampered however due to the introduction of new UEFA laws.
The rules state that clubs can only spend 70 percent of their total income on transfers, wages and coaches and agents' fees by 2025/26. The rules began last season (2022/23) with the figure being 100 percent, before falling to 90 percent this season (2023/24) and 80 percent next (2024/25).
Regardless of whether or not United are taken over, which could lead to a cash injection, they will only be able to spend so much, leaving them to prioritise certain targets. Hojlund and Ten Hag share an agent, which has heightened speculation over a move to Old Trafford.
The player told Tipsbladet on the interest in him: "It is a huge club, so I must have done something right if it’s rumoured they want me. We have to see what happens. As you see and hear, I imagine a lot could happen to quite a few strikers this summer, as many clubs are looking for a no9. Something will definitely happen there, and then we’ll have to wait and see if I am included in it.
"I am very happy to be with Atalanta and we have qualified for Europe. I have found myself in a really good place here, so now we have to wait and see."
