Glazers PUSHED to sign ‘new Haaland’ for Man Utd

Carlo Garganese

• 16 Jul 2023 16:20 BST
• 4 min read

The Glazers are reluctantly being pushed to splash the cash on a striker this summer as they are worried about the value of Manchester United plummeting amidst takeover talks.

According to the Daily Mirror, the Glazers ideally didn’t want to spend much money during the transfer window as they plan to sell the club.

However, with takeover discussions with both Sheikh Jassim and Sir Jim Ratcliffe lingering on, the Glazers have been put in a position where they must oversee the transfer market.

PROFILE: Who is Rasmus Hojlund?

And the Mirror says that they are worried that if they don’t strengthen the squad, the value of the club will fall if United then struggle for results on the pitch.

As a result, having already sanctioned the big-money buys of Mason Mount from Chelsea and Andre Onana from Inter Milan, they have now given the go-ahead to spend big on a striker.

The Glazers are not prepared to pay a three-figure sum for Erik ten Hag’s idea striker targets, Harry Kane or Victor Osimhen.

READ MORE: Premier League 2023/24 summer transfers: All the Done Deals

But they will green light the signing of Atalanta wonderkid, Rasmus Hojlund, labelled the ‘new Erling Haaland’.

Hojlund is valued by Atalanta at around €70m but United will try to sign him for closer to €60m.

Hojlund himself has made it clear that he wants to join the Premier League side.

Hojlund explosion in 2023

Hojlund has exploded in 2023 as one of the most exciting young talents in European football.

He has scored 15 goals in the calendar year for club and country, having only turned 20 in February.

Just like Haaland, he stands at 6ft 4in and regularly bullies defenders physically, holding up the ball with his back to play expertly. And just like Haaland, he boasts a lovely left foot but also has the ability to dribble and run with the ball.

Atalanta coach Gian Piero Gasperini compared Hojlund to Haaland himself a few months ago.

“Hojlund has this spirit, energy, intensity, but also technical quality that is just remarkable,” Gasperini said.

“He still has so much margin for improvement, too.

“He has very similar characteristics to Haaland, not just his face.

“He is so quick, he’s under 11 seconds over 100m and that’s not even trying very hard.

“Considering his height, he has a low centre of gravity and can move his legs very fast. I am convinced he’ll have a great career, he just gets stronger every day.”