AC Milan ‘enquire’ about £39m Man United star amid Ollie Watkins links to Old Trafford
Manchester United are looking to replace Rasmus Hojlund this summer, and one of their main striker targets continues to be Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins, who was subject to transfer interest from Arsenal in January.
However, the Gunners look set to sign Viktor Gyokeres, leaving Man United free to go after Watkins if Villa are prepared to sell him. The 29-year-old is expected to command a fee of around £60million. Villa named the price after they rejected a £40m bid in January from Arsenal.
However, Man United’s finances aren’t in a great position, so they would likely need to make a couple of sales before they can sign Watkins. Marcus Rashford looks set to leave on loan, so they may have to get their funds from selling a
Manchester United striker Rasmus Hojlund has been linked with a move away this summer after a season where he managed to net just four goals in the Premier League. The 22-year-old wants to stay at Old Trafford, but the Red Devils may be forced to sell him in order to fund their move for a new number nine.
He has previously been linked with Inter Milan and Napoli, but it seems AC Milan are the club pushing to sign him. According to Caught Offside, AC Milan have asked United about the possibility of signing the Danish international.
It is understood that United are holding out for around £39m for Hojlund, but it isn’t yet clear as to how much AC Milan is willing to pay for him. The report says that United won’t let him leave on loan, as they only want a permanent transfer if Hojlund does leave.
Roma also reportedly showed interest in Hojlund, but they have instead signed Brighton striker Evan Ferguson on loan, with an option to buy at the end of the season.
Seeing as AC Milan want to sign Hojlund this summer, there could be a deal involving interest from the Red Devils in one of Milan’s players. Back in the Winter, United were linked to Rafael Leao, with reports suggesting that they held an interest in the Portuguese attacker alongside Manchester City.
Arsenal have previously been credited with interest in Leao too, who scored eight goals and provided eight assists for Milan in the Serie A last season. He has an estimated market value of around £60m, so Man United could offer Hojlund plus £20m to get their £39m target for the Danish international.
If AC Milan don’t want to sell Leao however, United will likely have to re-ignite their pursuit of Watkins from Aston Villa, assuming that they can persuade the England international with a move to Old Trafford despite the fact that they can’t offer him European football next season.
