Man Utd may rip up Rasmus Hojlund contract offer as chiefs talking to Kolo Muani

Manchester United have agreed basic personal terms with Rasmus Hojlund’s representatives but there remains a chance they could sign another striker instead. Hojlund is Erik ten Hag’s top target and United have been in discussions with Atalanta about a deal.

However, Atalanta want huge money for the Denmark international despite him only joining 12 months ago. He scored 10 goals in 34 appearances last season and it is thought it will take a minimum of £60million to sign the 20-year-old centre-forward. There are other suggestions he could even cost £85m.

The Athletic say Hojlund has indicated to the Serie A club that he would like to leave with his agents having now agreed preliminary personal terms with United. But the difference in United’s valuation of the player and Atalanta’s means it is entirely possible the Red Devils may not reach an agreement to proceed with a move.

Aware of that, United are in discussions with other strikers at the same time so they are not left short-handed. Among them is Eintracht Frankfurt’s Randal Kolo Muani who shot to prominence last term with a 23-goal, 17-assist season for the Bundesliga side.

Tottenham’s Harry Kane had previously been a major target for United but Spurs’ price tag saw Ten Hag and co. withdraw their interest. The north Londoners wanted around £100m for the Bayern Munich-linked frontman.

United had suggested the prospect of a swap deal to Atalanta with players plus cash in return for Hojlund but the Italian side firmly rebuffed the idea. Ten Hag is battling Financial Fair Play complications however and so may need to sell players in order to buy a new striker, be it Hojlund or Kolo Muani.

The Frankfurt attacker will not come cheaply either. The club’s CEO, Axel Hellmann, said in May that he is worth £80m and added: “He’s one of the hottest things currently available on the European striker market. The absolutely ideal scenario would be for him to stay.”

Harry Maguire is among those who could leave after being stripped of the captain’s armband, with Fred, Dean Henderson and Alex Telles other players expected to depart Old Trafford to raise transfer funds. United have already bought Mason Mount from Chelsea for a fee rising to £60m.

While Inter Milan goalkeeper Andre Onana will this week become United’s new No 1 at a cost of £43.8m rising to £47.2m. Ten Hag hopes to follow up the arrival of shot-stopper with a marquee new No 9.

There was a surprise signing on Tuesday though as veteran centre-half Jonny Evans rejoined on a short-term basis and was added to the travelling pre-season squad for matches in Edinburgh and San Diego. A United statement read: “The academy graduate had been training with the Under-21s whilst considering his options, following his departure from Leicester City at the end of last season.

“As part of the academy training programme, he has also taken part in a number of first-team sessions and impressed Erik ten Hag and the coaching staff.”