UEFA Champions League runners-up Inter Milan have launched a formal enquiry into the availability of Manchester United striker Rasmus Hojlund, according to The Telegraph.
The Nerazzurri need to bolster their forward line with another striker this summer as Marko Arnautovic, Mehdi Taremi, and Joaquin Correa are expected to leave.
Inter have now turned to Hojlund, who has struggled in his two seasons in England. They believe he can regain his best form in Italy.
The 22-year-old was blossoming into a fine Serie A striker at Atalanta before the Man Utd move stalled his development while killing his confidence.
United paid Atalanta an initial £64 million for Hojlund, which could rise to £72 million. However, Inter will only go as high as €45-50 million (£38-42 million).
The Red Devils have slapped a £40 million price tag on the Danish striker, but Inter might still opt for a loan with an option or an obligation to buy.
Who should replace Hojlund at Man Utd if he leaves – Gyokeres or Osimhen?
Man Utd need a new striker to spearhead them back into the upper echelon of the Premier League after their 2024/25 struggles.
They need an experienced, lethal, and prolific centre-forward to lead the line.
Viktor Gyokeres (Sporting CP) and Victor Osimhen (Napoli) are the two most prominent names in the market.
United manager Ruben Amorim worked with the former in Portugal, where he registered 97 goals and 28 assists in 102 appearances for Sporting CP.
However, Osimhen is a battering ram who has delivered the goods in one of the top five leagues in Europe.
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He led Napoli to their third Serie A title in 2023 and repeated the feat with Galatasaray this term.
Osimhen’s style looks more likely to translate to the Premier League. He has proven his mettle in Ligue 1 and Serie A.
Gyokeres has been exceptional in Portugal, but the Premier League is a different beast.
Strikers from the Portuguese league, especially those in the big three, have struggled when they got big moves – see Bas Dost, Jackson Martinez, Haris Seferovic, Taremi, and Darwin Nunez.
Gyokeres is cheaper and familiar to Amorim, but the club is crying out for a striker who can transform the team.
Osimhen, when fit and firing, is among the top three centre-forwards in world football.
If Hojlund departs, United must upgrade the centre-forward position. And there is no upgrade more brutal, more proven, or more ready for the Premier League than Osimhen.