Player ‘will be sold’ to Manchester United in next few days – ETH’s side to make improved offer

On Wednesday, we relayed claims from Italy that Manchester United will make an offer for Atalanta star Rasmus Højlund.

Alfredo Pedullà now states the Red Devils usually start with a ‘soft’, verbal offer, a strategy they employed to sign André Onana from Inter Milan.

He states Manchester United have made a verbal offer of €40m plus €10m bonuses for the striker but this doesn’t meet the Serie A side’s demand of €70m plus €5m bonuses.

The journalist says the Premier League side’s ‘offer will go up’ and come close to the fee requested by Atalanta chairman Antonio Percassi for the 20-year-old.

Højlund featured in his side’s friendly win over Pro Vercelli yesterday but there are doubts over his involvement against AFC Bournemouth on Saturday. Pedullà says the ‘next three-four days will certainly be fundamental’ to determine the player’s future.

Paris Saint-Germain have shown interest in the Denmark international but he ‘only wants’ Erik ten Hag’s side and hopes to complete a move to Old Trafford.

Over at Libero, they explain that Atalanta should sign UD Almería star El Bilal Touré for €30m.

The report states the Italian club are ready to take risk investing in young players and this is shown by the €17-19m paid to buy Højlund last summer and now on 21-year-old Touré.

Libero points out Atalanta are in a position to invest €30m on Touré because their coffers will be improved as the Dane ‘will be sold to’ Manchester United in the ‘coming days’ for €70m. This is ‘a lot of money’, which can help them to invest in reshaping their squad.