Manchester United confident of signing Rasmus Hojlund before start of the season

Manchester United are confident of signing Rasmus Hojlund in time for their first game of the Premier League season against Wolves.

United are prepared to pay £60million for Atalanta striker Hojlund after settling on the Dane as their principal striker target following Tottenham's refusal to sell Harry Kane to them.

Although United regard Eintracht Frankfurt figurehead Randal Kolo Muani and Ajax forward Mohammed Kudus as alternative targets, manager Erik ten Hag has spoken to Hojlund via video calls and football director John Murtough has held extensive discussions with Atalanta.

United believe Hojlund is a rough diamond but are impressed by his work ethic and have faith in Ten Hag's coaching ability to develop him into one of the most lethal strikers in Europe.

Also read: Ten Hag sends message to Henderson over United future

Hojlund, 20, only moved to Atalanta last year and United have provisionally planned for Marcus Rashford to play at centre forward in certain games to ease the Denmark international's adaptation to English football.

Crucially, United would not have to sell to buy Hojlund. United are working off a £120m budget and have already invested £107m in Andre Onana and Mason Mount but the budget is believed to reflect net spend, so Hojlund's fee could be offset by sales in the summer and winter transfer windows in accordance with the Premier League's profitability and sustainability rules.

United had a database of 1,800 forwards but it is understood they did not cast the net anywhere near that wide in their search for Ten Hag's first No.9 addition.

Ten Hag was eager to recruit a striker last year but Cristiano Ronaldo's inability to secure a transfer to a European club blocked any move for a replacement.

Uni