According to reports, Manchester United have held talks with Atalanta and Frankfurt to discuss the availability of Rasmus Hojlund and Randal Kolo Muani respectively. The striker situation at the club is a key concern and the problem needs to be sorted out as soon as possible since it had cost them in multiple matches last season.
Many top European side besides Manchester United are interested in securing the services of Rasmus Hojlund and Randal Kolo Muani. Both the attackers are currently hot prospects in Europe and all interested clubs will keep their tabs open to bring in either of them.
The 20-year-old Danish striker has caught the attention after an impressive run in the Serie A last season. On the other hand, the 24-year-old Bundesliga forward had a better season statistically and was part of the France squad that reached the 2022 World Cup Final.
The biggest priority for manager Erik ten Hag is to bring in a number 9 this summer. Although Harry Kane is the No.1 target for the Red Devils, the Spurs striker’s valuation is proving to be a major hurdle. This has prompted the United hierarchy to consider other alternatives.
According to The Athletic, Manchester United Director of Football John Murtough has made contacts with Atalanta and Frankfurt over the possibility of signing Rasmus Hojlund and Randal Kolo Muani respectively in this summer transfer window.
However, the Red Devils have been put off by Frankfurt due to the massive price tag on Muani. As reported by Metro, the Bundesliga club value 24-year-old at €100m (£86m). The French forward may not fit into the finances of the club as they have a lot more areas to develop.
According to reports, Manchester United are put off by the £80m-plus price tag Eintracht Frankfurt have put on striker Randal Kolo Muani 🤑
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) June 26, 2023
Meanwhile, the huge asking price for Kolo Muani makes Hojlund a likelier option for United. Due to financial fairplay considerations, the Red Devils are focusing on signing the Danish centre-forward this summer and are looking to launch a bid of £50m, as reported by The Telegraph.
Manchester United have certainly prioritized the signing of Harry Kane. They are hoping to find a striking partner for the Englishman, who is young. The Old Trafford side can achieve that if they sign the Atalanta forward. A mixture of experience and youth seems to be the perfect blend nowadays in the long season.
🚨 John Murtough is holding extensive talks with Atalanta over a possible deal for striker Rasmus Hojlund. [@samuelluckhurst] #mufc pic.twitter.com/WX0MW0HT3p
— The United Stand (@UnitedStandMUFC) July 7, 2023
Erik ten Hag signed Wout Weghorst in January in the hope to end their striker woes. Although the Dutchman put in an extraordinary work rate, he only found the net twice since his arrival. On the other hand, Anthony Martial rarely saw the pitch as he was sidelined for the majority of the season because of injuries.
Who is a Better Option For Manchester United: Rasmus Hojlund or Randal Kolo Muani?
Rasmus Hojlund scored 16 goals and assisted 7 times in 42 appearances across all competitions this season (stats via Transfermarkt). He has a contract with Atalanta till June 2027. On the other hand, Randal Kolo Muani has scored 23 goals and assisted 17 times in 46 appearances in all competitions (stats via Transfermarkt). He is bound to the German club for four more years.
Manchester United can sign only one of the two enticing options. They have limited funds that will allow them to accommodate only one more striker besides Harry Kane. Statistically, the Frenchman is way ahead of the Atalanta forward this season. However, it is worth noting that the Danish striker is 4 years younger than the French forward.
Hojlund has shown similar characteristics to that of Manchester City goal machine Erling Haaland which makes him quite appealing to any club in Europe. With the right development, the 20-year-old Dane could match or even exceed Kolo Muani’s performance currently. Moreover, Frankfurt have slapped a hefty price tag on the Frenchman which could be a deal breaker for the English club.
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Erik ten Hag has a knack for developing young talent to help them perform to their full potential. Although both options have shown a great deal of potential, it majorly comes down to the more feasible option. Hojlund has a good scoring rate for a 20-year-old and could learn a lot if Manchester United also secure the signing of Harry Kane.
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