Manchester United set limit on Rasmus Hojlund transfer fee

Manchester United will not offer more than £60million for Atalanta striker Rasmus Hojlund.

Hojlund, 20, is United's principal striker target and has held video calls with Erik ten Hag after United were discouraged from bidding for Tottenham talisman Harry Kane.

United football director John Murtough has held extensive discussions with Atalanta, who are believed to be holding out for a much higher fee than United have mooted.

Murtough is believed to have despaired over the coverage of United's negotiations in the Italian media, who have sensationalised a number of details.

Also read: United circling as Tottenham owner issues Levy ultimatum over Kane

High-ranking figures at United remain adamant they will sign a striker before the transfer window closes on September 1 but concede the fee is an issue.

United are mindful of the Premier League's profitability and sustainability rules and are reluctant to go even £10m over the capped figure for a target. The club have already invested £102m in midfielder Mason Mount and goalkeeper Andre Onana.

Hojlund is under contract at Atalanta until 2027 as he only joined the Italian club from Sturm Graz last year. The Denmark international has pillaged six goals in five games for the national team. He has scored 10 goals in 34 matches for Atalanta.

United regard Eintracht Frankfurt figurehead Randal Kolo Muani as an alternative target to Hojlund while Ten Hag is also an admirer of Ajax forward Mohammed Kudus. The Manchester Evening News revealed in March United were keeping tabs on Hojlund and Muani.

Although Bayern Munich remain the favourites to sign Kane, United are monitoring his situation should Spurs suddenly become receptive to selling him to a Premier League club. Tottenham