Inter Milan cannot meet Manchester United’s asking price for Rasmus Hojlund but are keen on striking a loan deal for the misfiring striker.
The 22-year-old had a really difficult season with the Red Devils last time round, scoring just four goals in 32 Premier League outings.
The Dane netted 10 times in 52 appearances across all competitions, with six of those coming on United’s run to the Europa League final.
In total he has scored 26 times in 95 games since signing from Atalanta for an initial £64m in the summer of 2023.
With Manchester United struggling badly for any kind of form under Ruben Amorim, almost none of their players have managed to shine so Hojlund is not alone, but in two seasons in the Premier League he certainly has not convinced that he can be a leading striker in the English top flight.
Get personalised updates on Manchester United every day
Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro’s Football Newsletter.
Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link so we can send you football news tailored to you.
After such a lean run in the Premier League his confidence now appears to be extremely low and a move this summer looks likely, if a deal can be done.
Hojlund has a good reputation in Italy after an impressive 2022-23 season with Atlanta, which earned him his move to Old Trafford.
Inter Milan are keen on bringing him back to Serie A, with La Gazzetta dello Sport reporting that he is their number one target as they look for a striker to compete with Marcus Thuram and Lautaro Martinez.
However, Manchester United have set an asking price of €45m (£38m) for the Denmark international and that is likely to be out of Inter’s reach.
As a result, the report from Gazzetta suggests the Nerazzurri will look to negotiate a loan deal with an option or obligation to buy next summer.
Rasmus Hojlund 2024-25 season stats
Premier League
Apps: 23(9) Goals: 4 Assists: 0
Europa League
Apps: 11(4) Goals: 6 Assists: 2
FA Cup
Apps: 3 Goals: 0 Assists: 0
League Cup
Apps: 1(1) Goals: 0 Assists: 0
The move would include a substantial loan fee for Hojlund, which would then reduce the fee of the permanent deal next year.
Whether Manchester United will accept the deal is yet to be seen, but they are unlikely to be swamped with offers of £38m or more for the striker, so it may well prove to be the best option.
Speaking earlier this month Hojlund said he expected to still be at Old Trafford next season, telling Norwegian outlet Ekstra Bladet: ‘I have a contract until 2030, so I expect to play for Manchester United.
‘I’m looking forward to going on a summer vacation, and then I’m fully dedicated to the project that’s underway.’
Inter may not want to meet Hojlund’s asking price this summer, but they are also reportedly bringing in another forward in Parma’s Ange-Yoan Bonny.
The 21-year-old is set to join for around £17m having worked under Chivu at Parma, but would be seen as less of an immediate first team prospect as Hojlund.
The France Under-21 international has already made 117 appearances for Parma, but most of those came in Serie B, with just one season in Serie A under his belt, during which he scored six goals.
