[James Ducker - Tier 1] Man Utd to step up Rasmus Hojlund pursuit as Andre Onana deal nears completion

Manchester United are expected to intensify their pursuit of Atalanta striker Rasmus Hojlund once they have wrapped up a £43 million deal for Inter Milan goalkeeper Andre Onana.

Onana could travel to Manchester on Tuesday as United attempt to arrange a medical and process a visa in order to enable the Cameroonian – who is expected to sign a five-year deal – to join the club’s pre-season tour of America. United are due to play Arsenal at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on Saturday.

Erik ten Hag’s priority this summer has been the recruitment of a top-class goalkeeper to replace the departed David De Gea, who left as a free agent last month, and a centre-forward. With the Onana transfer on the verge of being completed, attention will now turn to Hojlund.

With Marcus Rashford set to sign a new five-year contract with United, Ten Hag is desperate to add more firepower in attack to ease the burden on the England striker and has identified Hojlund as a priority target after the club backed away from a move for Harry Kane amid serious doubts Tottenham would be prepared to sell to them.

United have already been informed by Atalanta during initial talks that the Italian club are not interested in taking players in exchange for Hojlund and want a straight cash deal.

Atalanta are thought to have slapped an £86 million price tag on Hojlund. While there is an acceptance that is likely to be a negotiating position, even a fee around £20 million below that mark would represent a huge outlay and a gamble on a player who has played only 87 senior matches.

Last season, the Denmark striker scored nine goals in 32 matches for Atalanta and still remains largely unproven at the highest level.

The Onana signing and United’s £55 million purchase of England midfielder Mason Mount will push their outlay close to £100 million. With around £120 million net to spend this summer, Ten Hag hopes to swell his transfer kitty through sales.

Dean Henderson is likely to leave and he remains Nottingham Forest’s first-choice goalkeeper target but negotiations are proving complicated. Forest are also interested in United forward Anthony Elanga. Urawa Reds and Japan goalkeeper Zion Suzuki is one of several back up options United have looked at.

Harry Maguire is thought to be considering his future after having the United captaincy taken off him. West Ham are one of the clubs interested in the England defender but the cost of doing a deal could be prohibitive. There were reports on Monday that West Ham have had a loan offer for Maguire rebuffed.

Brazil midfielder Fred is another who could leave United this summer amid interest from Fulham, Galatasaray and Saudi Arabia as Ten Hag attempts to clear the decks.