Manchester United’s pursuit of a new striker has put Rasmus Hojlund’s future at the club in major doubt.
Struggles in a red shirt
The Dane has only been at the club for two seasons but he has struggled in a United shirt.
He only scored four Premier League goals last season and despite scoring against AFC Bournemouth in pre-season, he is still surplus to requirements for most fans.
As the Red Devils pursue Benjamin Sesko this summer, it has put major question marks on what future, if any, Hojlund will have at the club.
He has already stated that he wants to stay at Old Trafford but there have been reports of numerous teams, including Red Bull Leipzig being interested in negotiating a deal for the forward.
Hojlund may have little choice
The Athletic report that despite Hojlund’s public desire to stay, the situation is more complex than this.
They add, “for Hojlund, the Sesko pursuit creates a fresh review of his circumstances. He and Sesko are both 22, an age when regular games are essential, but each of them getting that in Amorim’s system is implausible. Were he to arrive, Sesko would, as the new signing, expect to be starting each week if fit.”
The fact that United will not play European football, therefore playing less matches, will only compound this situation.
Hojlund has not been explicitly told by United that he is up for sale, hence his public stance. Nonetheless, “should United make it clear to him that he needs to leave, that could change.”
Hojlund price drop
It must be noted that, “Hojlund was signed in a potential £72m deal from Atalanta in 2023, but United acknowledge internally they might now have to accept lower than his book value, which stands at a little under £45m.”
The BBC have also reported that the Danish striker would be available for as little as £30 million.
They add that, “if Hojlund was sold for £30m, it would effectively be a loss for United given the forward’s ‘book value’ is £43m as he is two years into the five-year contract he signed.”
Whilst United may not have told him he is for sale, offering him around for such a cut price deal is a relatively clear indication of how they feel on the matter.
United can sign a striker without sales
What’s more, “it is not impossible that United can raise the finances for Sesko without Hojlund leaving, given they could yet recoup significant fees on Alejandro Garnacho and Antony. United could agree the Sesko deal before selling players, so long as it happens before next year’s PSR deadline.”
Regardless, were Sesko or another big name forward to arrive, he may prefer to search for a new club that could provide him with essential first team minutes for his future development, especially in a World Cup year.
Featured image Vincent Carchietta via Getty Images
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Alex Browne
Alex is a huge Manchester United fan, inspired by greats of his homeland such as George Best, Harry Gregg and Norman Whiteside. Proud owner of such niche shirts such as Kleberson, Eric Djemba-Djemba and Gary Neville. Grew up pretending to be Ruud van Nistelrooy and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in the back garden, with little success.
