Inter Milan’s hunt for a new striker has led them to a Manchester United star and a player with whom the Red Devils reportedly want to replace him.
Having suffered a humiliating 5-0 defeat in the Champions League final against Paris Saint Germain on Saturday, the Milan club are determined to make a statement this summer, and in particular, to bolster their attack that proved so blunt in Munich.
Yesterday it was reported by transfer guru Fabrizio Romano that the Nerazzurri are interested in United’s Rasmus Hojlund and have made contact with his camp over a move.
This was swiftly followed by another report from an aggregator site that the Dane wants to stay at United.
Whether or not this has any basis in fact, it has not deterred the Italian media from pushing ahead with the transfer story.
Sport Witness relayed Calciomercato’s opposite standpoint. They claim Hojlund is unhappy at United and wants a move. They say “There is some optimism regarding a move to Inter because his agent is said to have excellent relations with the Nerazzurri and this can aid a potential transfer.”
Both Corriere dello Sport and Gazzetta dello Sport (GDS) (also via Sport Witness) confirmed Inter’s interest but suggested that an agreement would be difficult, with the Serie A side preferring a loan and United being predisposed to selling.
This morning’s paper edition of GDS (page 7) has thrown another spanner in the works, claiming that Inter have also joined the race for Canadian striker Jonathan David, who is available on a free deal after his contract with Lille expires this month.
It had previously been reported that Napoli were favourites to land David, having offered him a 4-year, £82,000 per week deal. But GDS say the Naples club had “taken a step back” to think more about the move and that this will allow Inter to swoop in and potentially seal a deal.
“The other hot track is the one that leads to Hojlund, even if with different economic premises,” GDS says.
“Because the Danish former Atalanta player, who cost Manchester United 75 million plus 10 million in bonuses two years ago, can arrive on loan with the right to buy.”
“Starting again at Inter – with the rank of supplementary starter, in a championship he knows well and in which he earned the attention of the English – could become the trigger to push him towards Appiano.”
It is a complicated situation now for United. If indeed Napoli are cooling their interest in David, INEOS, too, could decide to reignite their interest. And, given that the Canadian is a free transfer, they could then entertain a loan for Hojlund as they would not need to sell him to raise funds to replace him.
The capture of Matheus Cunha and likely addition of Bryan Mbeumo strengthens United’s hand considerably when negotiating with strikers. David would also be the undisputed starting striker at United, whereas he would be competing with Romelu Lukaku at Napoli or Lautaro Martinez at Inter. Serie A’s salary capping also plays in United’s favour as they could easily double the offer on the table from either Serie A side without breaking the bank.
Featured image Carl Recine via Getty Images
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Red Billy
Red Billy is the managing editor of The Peoples Person, author of three books and totally obsessed with football’s transfer market. Billy still insists Matteo Darmian and Alex Telles could have made it at United given half a chance.
