Fabrizio Romano has disclosed that Tottenham was another club in the running to sign Manchester United’s new acquisition, Rasmus Hojlund, during the summer transfer window.
Manchester United secured the services of the Danish international in a deal valued at approximately £72 million from Serie A side Atalanta in early August. The signing addressed a pressing need for United, as manager Erik ten Hag had been eager to sign a new striker ahead of the season, especially after failing to secure a permanent replacement for Cristiano Ronaldo, who departed for Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr in November.
Hojlund missed the preseason and the first three Premier League matches before making his debut as a substitute in their 3-1 loss to Arsenal.
In a recent interview with Danish media, Hojlund confirmed that several clubs expressed interest in him during the summer, but he opted to keep their names private.
Hojlund stated, “I’d rather keep it to myself. But interest arises, and then the clubs start negotiating, and I myself start talking to the club about how the contract should look.”
However, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has now revealed that Tottenham was also keenly interested in Hojlund and even considered making a late move for the Danish international before changing their transfer targets.
Romano stated in his Caught Offside column: “Rasmus Hojlund gave an interview yesterday to Danish media, saying that there were other clubs interested in him this summer, but that he wanted to keep the names of those clubs to himself. He says his priority was always Manchester United, and that’s all absolutely true.
“I remember saying earlier in the summer that there were other clubs pursuing Hojlund, but that I would mention it after the end of the transfer window.
“Now can be the moment. Still, to be clear, it is very true that Hojlund only wanted Manchester United, and he appointed new agents in order to get a move to Old Trafford – that was his mission from the beginning of the summer.
“Paris Saint-Germain also tried to enter the race, but the deal was never going to happen because Hojlund was already close to Manchester United. But there was also another English club, and that club, from what I’m hearing, was Tottenham.
“They wanted to be informed on the conditions of the deal, but it was not possible for them at that time because Harry Kane was not sold yet to Bayern Munich – Hojlund’s arrival depended on Kane’s sale, but that only happened later in the window. Again, though, the player’s stance was ‘let me focus on United because that’s my dream move.’
“When Tottenham eventually sold Kane, they had conversations with Ange Postecoglou and ultimately decided to go after different kind of players.
“Brennan Johnson was one who came in, someone who can play different positions, and he looks a perfect player for Postecoglou’s ideas. So Tottenham are very happy with this signing, and of course Man United are very happy with Hojlund.”