Mason Greenwood could begin to rebuild his career in Italy (Picture: PA)

Mason Greenwood could be sent on loan to Serie A side Atalanta as part of a deal to bring Rasmus Hojlund to Manchester United, according to reports.

Hojlund has been identified as United’s first choice in their hunt for a new striker, but a deal is proving extremely difficult to do as Atalanta have put a price tag of £86m on the 20-year-old.

The Red Devils are not going to pay that, but the Daily Mail reports that they are looking into the possibility of sending Greenwood the other way on loan to bring Hojlund’s price down.

Greenwood remains suspended by Manchester United as they conduct an internal investigation following his arrest in January 2022 on suspicion of rape and assault, despite the Crown Prosecution Service dropped the charges in February.

The result of that investigation is yet to be decided, but a loan to a European club could be an option for the player who still has two years left on his Manchester United contract.

Atalanta are thought to be interested in the suggestion, but there is still plenty of negotiation to be done over how much the loan would knock off Hojlund’s asking price and even if it is genuinely feasible given the investigation is not at an end.

Rasmus Hojlund has emerged as one of Manchester United’s key targets this summer (Picture: Shutterstock)

Hojlund scored nine Serie A goals last season in his first campaign in Italy, joining Atalanta from Sturm Graz in Austria last year.

The youngster has made a blistering start to his international career, scoring six goals in his first six games for Denmark and has caught the eye of scouts from Old Trafford.

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The Red Devils are trying to make a deal work for the Serie A striker.