Rasmus Hojlund 'says goodbyes' at Atalanta friendly amid Manchester United transfer talks

Manchester United target Rasmus Hojlund failed to get off the bench in Atalanta's 3-1 friendly win over Bournemouth on Saturday.

The Italian club used nine substitutes across the 90 minutes but Hojlund - who scored 16 goals last season - was one of just three not to make it off the bench. Some onlookers said it looked like he was saying his goodbyes to his teammates post-match.

MEN Sport reported this week that United are confident of signing a striker before they face Wolves on August 14. Hojlund - who has already spoken to Erik ten Hag - is their primary target after receiving no encouragement from Tottenham that a deal to sign Harry Kane would be possible.

United are willing to pay up to £60million for the Danish striker and believe in Erik ten Hag's ability to mould him into one of Europe's finest attackers. Hojlund wants the move too with personal terms unlikely to be an issue.

READ MORE: United could strengthen up to four squad roles after striker signing

With signing Hojlund now the club's top priority, it's noteworthy that the Dane was omitted from the Italian side's starting line-up to play Bournemouth, with reports circulating that Atalanta do not want to risk the youngster picking up an injury which could scupper a possible transfer. Hojlund was listed among the substitutes on Atalanta's website when the teams were announced.

PSG tabled an offer for Hojlund this week but United are viewed as the front-runners to sign the striker, who admitted earlier this year that he is a United fan.

Speaking in January, Hojlund said: "I will not hide the fact that I am a huge Manchester United fan. So personally, it would be one of the biggest things for me, but of course, that doesn’t mean that I would turn down other