Rasmus Højlund is on the front page of Sunday’s Gazzetta dello Sport, with the Italian newspaper reporting he’s overtaken other candidates to become the priority striker target for the Serie A club.
On June 6th, the same newspaper reported the Manchester United player had given his approval to an Inter Milan move, and then things went a little quiet.
Now it’s back with a bang, and some lovely lines from Gazzetta.
The Tour de France starts in just over two weeks, and Højlund’s compatriot Jonas Vingegaard has won the competition twice, so Gazzetta use that to explain the situation: ‘With a precise acceleration in the last few days: ‘Hojlund has climbed on the pedals, as if he were his compatriot Jonas Vingegaard, a champion of the bike and winner of two Tours. Now he is ahead of everyone in the club’s preferences for the attack of the future: there is finally room for an investment up front and, at the moment, nowhere seems to deserve it more.’
According to the report, Inter Milan officials are working on the signing from America, where the club is taking part in the Club World Cup.
Højlund, ‘The Viking’ as the newspaper calls him, is presented as being very attracted by the idea of signing for Inter Milan and that’s giving them the foundations to build a deal for the Manchester United player.
The Denmark international has a contract at Old Trafford lasting until 2030, as he recently said so himself, and Manchester United value him at €45m according to the report.
There’s been an initial meeting in Milan, and another meeting via intermediaries is expected to take place in the coming days. Manchester United would prefer a permanent departure this summer, but Gazzetta believe Inter could try for a loan with a purchase clause which is almost an obligation, and a big loan fee for the initial year.
As Gazzetta have it, it’s ‘full speed ahead’ for Inter Milan to sign Rasmus Højlund.
Sunday’s edition of Corriere dello Sport also covers the situation.
Their reports states Manchester United want an immediate sale at €40-45m, whereas Inter want a loan with an option to buy. The Italian club hopes that if things can drag on, and the Red Devils bring a striker in themselves, then a better deal may be available later in the window.
Interestingly, they claim Manchester United have made the decision to keep Joshua Zirkzee over his teammate.
