Atlanta star Rasmus Hojlund has been left out of Gasperini’s squad for the upcoming pre-season friendly against Bournemouth as a move to Manchester United nears completion, it has been reported.
The Red Devils saw a verbal 60m euro offer turned down earlier in the week, but have remained in discussions with the Bergamo side since that and remain confident of striking a deal.
It is thought that Atalanta value the 21-year-old at around 70m euros, despite signing him just last summer and Hojlund netting nine times last season.
With United on the hunt for another option up front at the moment, it has been reported that the two sides are ‘closer to reaching an agreement’ and that as a result, the striker has been left out after Atalanta ‘decided to avoid any risk’ in the deal collapsing through injury.
Hojlund is set to become Manchester United’s third summer addition, with the club having already signed Mason Mount from Chelsea and Andre Onana from Inter Milan in deals totalling £100m.
Sales will now be the order of the day, though they have rejected a £20m offer from West Ham for defender Harry Maguire, deeming him more valuable than what David Moyes’ side are offering.
Should they be able to shift their deadwood ahead of the new season, they are keen to make at least one more signing, with Fiorentina’s Sofyan Amrabat among those that could yet make the switch to Old Trafford ahead of September’s transfer deadline.
