Rasmus Hojlund has not been included in the Atalanta BC squad for Saturday’s pre-season friendly against Bournemouth, with the striker thought to be closing in on a switch to Manchester United.
Atalanta are currently in England, with the Italian giants set to face Premier League side Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium as part of their preparations for the new campaign.
However, Hojlund is not in the squad, with the Denmark international’s future currently the subject of much speculation.
The 20-year-old is Man United’s leading attacking target this summer, and the Red Devils have been locked in discussions with the Serie A side over a deal.
According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, the two clubs are now ‘closer to reaching a full agreement’, with discussions between the parties ‘advancing’.
Romano claims that the decision to leave Hojlund out of the squad against Bournemouth was to ‘avoid any risk’ with the deal close to being completed.
The forward, who has also been linked with Paris Saint-Germain, scored 10 goals and registered four assists in 34 appearances for Atalanta last season following his arrival from Sturm Graz.
Man United are said to have made their first offer for Hojlund towards the end of last week, placing a bid of €50m (£42.8m) plus €10m (£8.6m) in add-ons on the table.
PSG’s offer, meanwhile, is believed to have been €50m (£43m), with the French giants not thought to be planning to raise the bid, which is some way short of Atalanta’s €70m (£60m) asking price.
A recent report claimed that Man United were hopeful of concluding a deal over the weekend, and the club are seemingly now close to coming to an agreement with Atalanta.
Should a deal be completed in the near future, Hojlund could potentially make his debut for the club against either Lens or Athletic Bilbao next weekend.
Man United will round off their pre-season tour of the United States against Borussia Dortmund on Saturday evening before facing Lens and Athletic on Saturday and Sunday respectively next weekend.
Hojlund’s competitive debut for the club could then potentially come against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Old Trafford on August 14.
The 20-time English champions have already made two signings during this summer’s transfer window, bringing in Mason Mount from Chelsea and Andre Onana from Inter Milan.
