The Danish striker is on the verge of moving to Old Trafford (Pictures: Getty / Sky Sports)

Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag is still playing coy on his side’s pursuit of Atalanta striker Rasmus Hojlund despite agreeing a £72million fee, while he insists Harry Maguire’s precarious situation will not be a distraction.

Hojlund, 20, is on the verge of becoming United’s third signing of a busy summer after finally making a breakthrough in talks with the Serie A side.

The Red Devils will pay a fixed fee of £64m plus £8m in add-ons and the Denmark international was excluded from Atalanta’s friendly against Bournemouth on Saturday ahead of his move to Old Trafford, having already agreed a five-year deal.

Despite the move now appearing to be something of a formality, Ten Hag declined to answer questions about the forward on Sunday until all the paperwork has been completed.

Asked what he likes about Hojlund, Ten Hag smiled and replied: ‘As you said, I can’t talk about players who are not under contract at Manchester United.

‘So if you want to ask the question, first we have to finish something and then after we can talk, you can set the question.’

Probed further on whether he could offer some insight into the striker, Ten Hag replied: ‘I can’t talk about this player in this moment because I’m a long time in football and I know first we need signings.

Ten Hag refused to be drawn on Hojlund’s looming move (Picture: Getty)