Man United ready to move for ‘quick’ 20-year-old who Newcastle have scouted

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Newcastle United have been scouting Rasmus Hojlund ahead of the summer transfer window, but could now miss out on the striker to Manchester United.

The 20-year-old is attracting a lot of attention after a successful first year at Atalanta, having joined the Serie A side from Sturm Graz last summer.

Hojlund scored 10 goals and provided four assists in his first season in Italy, while he has also impressed on the international stage. He scored five goals in two games for Denmark back in March, and drew comparisons to former Newcastle striker Jon Dahl Tomasson.

It has been rumoured that he could make the same move as Tomasson and sign for Newcastle, with head of recruitment Steve Nickson casting his eye over the young forward according to the Chronicle.

However, it looks like a Premier League rival is stepping up their own interest in Hojlund.

Manchester United to move for Rasmus Hojlund

According to TalkSPORT, Manchester United are preparing to make a move for Hojlund. They report that Erik ten Hag wants to sign two strikers this summer, one of which is Hojlund. TalkSPORT add that he is valued at £40million.

While it has been claimed that Newcastle would like to sign another striker this summer, Manchester United’s need is much greater. They have relied heavily on the goals of Marcus Rashford this season, who is best suited to playing on the left of attack.

The Red Devils need someone who can play directly through the middle, and Hojlund certainly fits the bill. He has been likened to Manchester City superstar Erling Haaland, who ended his first year in the Premier League with a record-breaking tally of 36 goals.

Hojlund compared to Haaland

One of Haaland’s strongest qualities is his speed, and Atalanta manager Gian Piero Gasperini believes Hojlund is ‘so quick‘ too. He even stated that the Danish attacker can ‘run 100 metres in under 11 seconds, and that’s not even trying very hard’.

Speed and physicality is a dangerous combination, as fans have seen with Haaland this season. Now we could see it with Hojlund too, but it might be for Man United rather than Newcastle.

He would be a great addition for the Magpies, but it is difficult to envision the club spending £40million on what would effectively be a third choice forward, as we already have Alexander Isak and Callum Wilson.

That could give Man United a clear run at Hojlund.