Manchester United are said to have been involved in talks with Juventus regarding the transfer of striker Rasmus Hojlund.
The Red Devils were beaten 4-3 by Brentford on Sunday in the Premier League, suffering their 16th defeat of the season and dropping points for the 25th time in 35 matches.
While head coach Ruben Amorim will be pleased that his side scored three times, striker Hojlund failed to add to his tally of four Premier League goals.
The 22-year-old was brought to Old Trafford from Atalanta in the summer of 2023 for a fee of £72m, and it is difficult to see him staying with the team beyond this season.
According to Calciomercato, Juventus have decided to pursue a deal for Hojlund as a replacement for Dusan Vlahovic, who looks certain to leave the club.
© Imago
The need for goals at United
Though United managed to score three times against Brentford, they only found the back of the net on two occasions in their prior five league matches.
The club's return of 42 top-flight goals makes them the division's sixth-worst offensive side, and it should be said that they still need to score seven times in their final three games to equal their worst ever return in the Premier League era.
United have been strongly linked with the signature of Wolverhampton Wanderer's Matheus Cunha, but he would not be a direct replacement for Hojlund and would likely be fielded an an attacking role behind a central striker.
© Imago
Who could come in as Hojlund's replacement?
There is arguably no better fit on the market than Sporting Lisbon forward Viktor Gyokeres, who was coached by Amorim in Portugal, and has scored 44 goals in 39 games this term in all competitions for the club.
However, with the likes of Arsenal reportedly interested in the Swede, United may find it difficult to win the race for his services.
Napoli striker Victor Osimhen could be an option for the Red Devils, especially as Napoli have been linked with United winger Alejandro Garnacho, and a swap deal of sorts may suit all parties.
Lewis Nolan
