Erik ten Hag is desperate to sign a striker (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag admits the club are ‘making progress’ on signing a striker, amid talks with Atalanta over a deal for Rasmus Hojlund.
The Dutchman has spent most of his £120m transfer budget already this summer by recruiting Andre Onana and Mason Mount.
However, he remains determined to sign a new centre forward after the side’s struggles in front of goal last term.
Cristiano Ronaldo left in November and was replaced by Burnley striker Wout Weghorst on loan.
The Dutchman made 29 appearances for the Red Devils in the second half of the season, but managed just two goals.
Hojlund is United’s first choice but the club say they won’t spend any more than £60m on the Dane.
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – JULY 22:Erik ten Hag head coach of Manchester United during the Champions Tour soccer game against Arsenal on July 22, 2023 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.(Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
That’s a problem, given Atalanta are reportedly seeking £86m for the 20-year-old.
But Ten Hag insists the club are making inroads in their bid to sign a striker.
‘We make progress, yeah,’ Ten Hag said when asked about United’s pursuit of a striker.
‘But you know how it works – when we have him, we will tell you directly.
‘The only thing I can say is we do everything that’s in our power to get that done. If it was up to me, yeah, as soon as possible. The earlier the better because we have to integrate him in the team, the way of play.
‘In an ideal situation, he was already here but you do not always get ideal situations as a manager and you have to deal with the situation.’
United were heavily reliant on Marcus Rashford’s goals last season.
The winger managed 30 goals in all competitions, which is his best campaign to date.
But Ten Hag wants to spread the goals across the team and believes Mount’s arrival could help.
‘We are underperforming there, and we are aware of it so others have to contribute also in that area but therefore we are looking for scoring abilities,’ said Ten Hag.
‘I think with Mason Mount already we have a player extra who is capable of not only scoring goals but also to create, and to put players like Rashford into position to score more goals. But as a whole team we have to score more.’
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They’re making progress…
