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Rasmus Hojlund arrived at Manchester United from Atalanta in 2023.
Reports suggest Manchester United are considering a £30m sale of striker Rasmus Hojlund.
The Danish international recently scored twice against Bournemouth in a friendly held in Chicago.
Following the match, Hojlund stated his intention to remain at Manchester United, despite the club’s reported interest in RB Leipzig’s Slovenian forward, Benjamin Sesko.
However, the situation is reportedly complex.
Newcastle United are also reportedly interested in Sesko, but have yet to finalize a deal with RB Leipzig for the 22-year-old.
Manchester United are reportedly evaluating their options, with some reports suggesting Sesko would favor a move to Old Trafford.
Sources within Manchester United insist they could complete a deal for Sesko before player sales.
However, it is widely acknowledged that departures would be necessary to comply with the Premier League’s profit and sustainability regulations.
The arrival of Sesko would potentially diminish Hojlund’s role within the squad.
A £30m sale of Hojlund would represent a loss for Manchester United, given the forward’s ‘book value’ is reportedly £43m, reflecting his two years remaining on his five-year contract.
Manchester United have reportedly already invested almost £130m this summer in Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha.
Following Manchester United’s underwhelming Premier League campaign, a consensus emerged that addressing the team’s lack of goals was paramount.
It was widely anticipated that a new number nine would be acquired.
Manchester United’s pursuit of Liam Delap, reportedly available for £30m from Ipswich before his move to Chelsea, suggested a shared sentiment within Old Trafford.
However, despite significant investment and the addition of two players more suited to roles behind a central striker, Manchester United are still reportedly seeking a number nine, hence the continued interest in Sesko.
Could this signify the end for Hojlund?
Despite perceptions of overpayment at the time, the recruitment team under then-manager Erik ten Hag sanctioned a £72m fee to acquire Hojlund from Atalanta.
Ten Hag stated Hojlund possessed “huge potential” but needed “to prove it.” To date, this has not fully materialized.
He scored only four league goals last season, marginally ahead of understudy Joshua Zirkzee, who managed three.
Notably, Hojlund’s goals originated from chances valued at a meager 5.2 expected goals, highlighting a potential lack of service or self-created opportunities.
BBC pundit and former Blackburn striker Chris Sutton has emphasized the lack of created chances.
“Have United been providing him with the chances and the opportunities? The answer to that is no,” he stated.
“But also, you have to consider whether he has done well enough. Has he ever been a prolific goalscorer? That would be the nagging doubt and is something I have debated with United fans.
“It is not to say he doesn’t have time on his side, and his attitude is good too.”
However, in a summer that saw Alvaro Carreras join Real Madrid – fulfilling the potential many within the club’s academy believed he possessed before being overruled by Ten Hag and others who felt he lacked the requisite pace – are Manchester United prepared to relinquish Hojlund’s potential so soon?
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