Rasmus Hojlund could be offered a possible escape route from Manchester United by his former club Atalanta BC, according to a report.
The 22-year-old spent just one season at Atalanta and scored 10 goals in 34 appearances before completing a £72m transfer to Old Trafford in the summer of 2023.
Hojlund has since failed to reach the heights expected at Man United and has particularly struggled this season, scoring just nine goals in 46 games across all competitions.
The Denmark international has found the net only four times in 29 Premier League matches, including a stoppage-time equaliser in the Red Devils' 1-1 draw at Bournemouth last weekend.
Although Hojlund still has three years remaining on his contract at Old Trafford, the striker is believed to be facing an uncertain future with Ruben Amorim's side and has been tipped to leave this summer.
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Hojlund to return to Atalanta in Lookman swap deal?
Recent reports claims that Man United have decided to keep Joshua Zirkzee - another striker who has struggled on the whole this term - and will put Hojlund on the market, potentially entertaining offers of just £30m.
According to The Sun, Man United will also consider including Hojlund in a swap deal to sign Atalanta star Ademola Lookman this summer.
Hojlund is said to remain a firm favourite among Atalanta supporters and the Serie A outfit are ready to make a move for the striker if United decide to cut their losses.
Clubs in Germany are also understood to hold an interest in Hojlund, but he would be 'open-minded' to a return to Atalanta who are said to have sent scouts to watch the Dane in recent Man United games and remain in touch with the players' representatives.
It remains unknown as to whether Man United would be open to a player-plus-cash swap deal, including Hojlund, to sign versatile winger Lookman, who has previously been valued at around €65m (£55.3m).
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Lookman open to joining Man United this summer?
Lookman, 27, began his career with Charlton Athletic before representing Everton, RB Leipzig, Fulham, Leicester City and now Atalanta, where he has spent the last three seasons.
The London-born Nigeria international, who has operated either out wide or as a central striker for Atalanta, has contributed with 50 goals and 24 assists in 115 appearances for the Serie A side across all competitions, including 18 goals and seven assists in 37 games this season.
Lookman memorably scored a superb hat-trick in the Europa League final last season and continues to elevate his game to new heights, with his impressive performances understood to have caught the eye of several top European clubs.
It is thought that Lookman is now keen to return to England after three successful years in Italy and a move to Man United would appeal to the attacker, although it remains unknown as to whether the Red Devils potentially failing to qualify for Europe next season would change his stance.
Oliver Thomas
