For a very long time, Manchester United has been desperate to add a striker, and it now appears that they are getting closer to finding him.

How much money has Manchester United invested on new players this year?

That’s according to journalist Alfredo Pedulla, who updated his website with new information about their pursuit of Rasmus Hojlund of Atlanta.

He would advise the Red Devils to keep in touch about the Danish international, who has emerged as one of Erik ten Hag’s top targets to sign. Particularly in light of Paris Saint-Germain’s growing influence as a potential competition for his services.

Although it was indicated back in June that the Italian company would not sell for any less than €100m (£87m), an offer of about €60m (£52m) plus bonuses is anticipated in the upcoming week.

Such a cost would dramatically increase their summer investment, which has already been boosted by the arrivals of Mason Mount (£55m) and Andre Onana (£47.2m). The Manchester club, which is still looking to reclaim its previous glory, appears set for yet another pricey window.

Rasmus Hojlund: How excellent is he?

While the addition of a striker like Hojlund would almost certainly result in goals, which would benefit any squad, it is the ancillary advantages that would undoubtedly change Ten Hag’s team.

After all, his team has continued to field mediocre front men like Wout Weghorst and Anthony Martial, occasionally going the entire game without a number nine.

The 20-year-old’s breakthrough would be crucial because, in all competitions last season, he registered 16 goals and 7 assists. Such a total matched the Premier League most recent combined goals of the two forwards mentioned above, Antony and Jadon Sancho.

A shooter with some quality, who possesses the physical presence to create space as well as the speed to grasp onto his seeking long balls, would undoubtedly be beneficial to Bruno Fernandes.

The latter quality is highlighted by author Sacha Pisani, who remarked that Rasmus Hojlund of Talanta is “scary quick.”

bruno-fernandes
According to Sofascore, the Portuguese maestro generated an absurd 32 huge chances in the Premier League last season while averaging 3.3 critical passes per game and only eight assists.

To contrast these numbers with Kevin De Bruyne, who benefited from Erling Haaland’s hitting abilities, the Belgian instead produced 31 great chances of his own but ultimately finished the league with 16 assists, according to Sofascore.

Following his transfer from Sporting CP, a heated argument erupted about which of these two offensive midfielders was the better creator during his first few seasons at Old Trafford. After all, the 28-year-old made 45 goal contributions across all competitions throughout the 2020–21 season, well exceeding the 28 of his Etihad rival during that same period.

The recent success of Manchester City has put an end to that argument in favour of the former, but if Fernandes had his own top forward to draw from, his numbers might rise to the point where they might once again challenge the 32-year-old master.

Hojlund’s goal conversion rate in Serie A was only 17%, well below the 29% in the Premier League that he will strive to match, but the young forward still has a tonne of promise.

If Fernandes can get off to a fast start at Old Trafford, not only may his goals spark an unusual title run, but fans would once more get to see Fernandes at his finest.