Rasmus Hojlund is set to make the WRONG transfer decision

Cameron Smith

• 28 Jul 2023 16:13 BST
• 2 min read

Manchester United remains Rasmus Hojlund’s preferred destination this summer as the Danish international prepares for an Atalanta exit just 12 months after joining.

Hojlund, 20, has emerged as Erik ten Hag’s primary candidate for the number nine role and talks are currently ongoing with Atalanta.

However, the Serie A side’s asking price is proving to be a stumbling block for the Red Devils, who have not yet submitted an offer deemed acceptable by the Bergamo outfit.

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Atalanta boss Gian Piero Gasperini recently told Sky: “I don’t know whether he’ll stay or leave - but I hope the club will value Højlund around €80, 90 or 100 million fee. Rasmus is one of the best - if not the best - emerging talent in Europe as a striker."

Furthermore, Paris Saint-Germain have now entered the race to sign the forward and are hoping to land him as a Kylian Mbappe replacement. Mbappe, 24, is set to leave PSG this summer after being put up for sale by Nasser Al Khelaifi.

Al-Hilal have tabled a world-record bid, Real Madrid are interested and several Premier League clubs have expressed their desire to sign the Frenchman.

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As a result, PSG are looking to sign Hojlund as Mbappe’s replacement, but the Danish international wants to join Man Utd; personal terms have also been agreed with the Old Trafford club - as exclusively revealed by FootballTransfers at the start of July.

But, data analytics SciSports suggest that moving to Man Utd isn’t the best career option for Hojlund.

Who should Hojlund join?

Using SciSports’ cutting-edge player Career Advice tool, Hojlund should look to join PSG or even Real Madrid rather than Ten Hag’s side.

Real Madrid score 90/100 on the club fit scale for Hojlund, while PSG score 85/100. SciSports use a variety of different factors, including potential development, formation, playing time and playing style, to judge whether a player would suit a transfer elsewhere.

For reference, Man Utd score 75/100, which is also below Tottenham Hotspur (76/100), who could lose Harry Kane this summer.

Anthony Martial is unlikely to be a problem, but Marcus Rashford has been used through the middle by Ten Hag, with Alejandro Garnacho starring on the left. Jadon Sancho has also been deployed in a false nine role during pre-season, which could continue.

At PSG, Mbappe’s imminent exit would open the door for Hojlund to become an immediate star, whereas competition for places may be rife at Old Trafford. In addition, Karim Benzema’s move to Al-Ittihad means there is an open spot in Real Madrid’s frontline - Hojlund could be the perfect man to fill it, according to SciSports.