Man Utd Transfer News: Amrabat DESPERATE, takeover BREAKTHROUGH, Kudus UPSET

Robin Bairner

• Updated: 5 Aug 2023 23:35 BST
• 5 min read

Manchester United finally unveiled Rasmus Hojlund on Saturday, with the Denmark international forward presented to the Old Trafford crowd ahead of a 3-1 friendly victory over Lens.

He watched the Red Devils come back from behind to get the victory but it could be several weeks before he is ready to feature at the Theatre of Dreams. Hojlund picked up a minor injury in preseason and faces several weeks on the sidelines.

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

For Man Utd, they finally have a long-term replacement for Cristiano Ronaldo, who departed the club by mutual consent late in 2022. Wout Weghorst temporarily plugged the gap, but the early weeks of the summer have been about trying to find a genuine No.9 of quality.

Harry Kane, Victor Osimhen, Randal Kolo Muani and Goncalo Ramos were three of the alternatives that were looked at, and while Man Utd have gone for the cheapest option, Hojlund could still become their most expensive forward ever if he strikes bonus conditions.

No Kudus reunion for Ten Hag

Manchester United were on the fringes of the race to sign Mohammed Kudus from Ajax, but Ten Hag’s relationship with the player had seen the Red Devils linked with a potential swoop late in the transfer window.

Arsenal and Chelsea were seen as the two clubs most seriously pushing to land the Ghana international, but now Brighton are closing in on a sensational swoop that will see them beat a raft of top clubs for the player.

According to various sources, they have agreed a transfer fee with Ajax and now need only convince the player to sign.

Amrabat desperate for transfer

Fiorentina midfielder Sofyan Amrabat is itching to complete his move to Man Utd, according to a report in Corriere dello Sport.

With the deal for Hojlund wrapped up, Man Utd are expected to move for the Morocco international midfielder.

Fiorentina, though, will not give up the midfielder easily. They are determined to stick to their €30m valuation of the player.

Qatar wins takeover race

Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani has won the race to take over the club, according to a report in The Sun.

The Red Devils were put on the market by the Glazer brothers in late 2022, with the expectation that a deal would be completed in a matter of months. The owners, though, have stalled over the process as they have held fast to their valuation of $6 billion for the side.

It is reported, though, that Qatar has made a decisive play for the team and will beat Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Ineos bid.

It could still be November before a deal is completed.

Bailly on the move

Manchester United’s hopes of selling centre-back Eric Bailly have been significantly enhanced by interest from the Saudi Pro League.

According to a report in the Daily Mail, the Red Devils will receive an offer from the Gulf state to sign the centre-back, who is surplus to requirements after a difficult loan spell at Marseille last season.