Man Utd to REIGNITE interest in No9 targets

Tom Weber

• Updated: 5 Jul 2023 18:53 BST
• 3 min read

Manchester United are ready to return to the negotiating table over strikers Rasmus Hojlund and Goncalo Ramos, according to a report.

The Red Devils' striker search has been put on the backburner despite it being arguably the club's greatest position of need. United have instead focused on getting Erik ten Hag's number one midfield target, Mason Mount, in, while also beginning negotiations with Inter for goalkeeper and potential David de Gea successor Andre Onana.

Financial Fair Play regulations and the ongoing uncertainty over the takeover mean that the Manchester club are operating on something of a restricted budget this summer. This has forced United to end their pursuit of Napoli star Victor Osimhen, for whom the Serie A champions reportedly want as much as €150 million.

READ: Mason Mount: Man Utd CAN'T afford world class players

Ten Hag and company have also had to move on from Harry Kane. Tottenham boss Daniel Levy has no intention of selling to a Premier League rival, while the player himself is apparently keen on a move to Bayern. Spurs have also now offered him a lucrative new contract.

With at least £55 million spent on Mount and Onana likely also commanding £50m, United now have to lower their expectations when it comes to targeting forwards and this has seen them revive their interest in two options.

The cheaper alternatives?

According to CaughtOffside, Manchester United are ready to reignite their pursuit of Benfica star Goncalo Ramos, whose links to the club have gone cold since May. The problem is the player's eye-watering €120m release clause, but United are willing to test the waters and see if they can negotiate a cheaper deal, claims the report.

They are also ready to go back in for Atalanta's Rasmus Hojlund. The Italian side already rebuffed the Red Devils' opening offer in hopes of getting up to €60m or €70m for their starlet, but the Premier League side are confident that they can drive down that asking price given Hojlund's relative inexperience of playing at the top level.

READ: Bargain Szoboszlai has a HIGHER ceiling than Mason Mount

The Dane, nicknamed the 'next Haaland,' has previously said that moving to England's top flight and a club like United would be a dream come true. In fact, the Red Devils are said to have already agreed personal terms with the player.