Ex-Man Utd striker makes ‘gamble’ claim over Rasmus Hojlund transfer after £72m deal

Former Manchester United star Louis Saha is not fully convinced by the big-money signing of Rasmus Hojlund.

United recently snapped up the Danish international on a deal worth up to £72million including add-ons, finally ending their long search for a striker. The Red Devils were linked with Harry Kane and Victor Osimhen this summer, but both players proved too expensive, and United turned to a more in unproven commodity in Hojlund.

The 20-year old had only been with Atalanta for one season after joining from Sturm Graz, and he only scored nine goals in 32 league appearances during his first season in Serie A.

Now, that is still a respectable total for a 20-year-old experiencing his first year in a top league, but they are not Erling Haaland, Kane nor Osimhen numbers, and that has led to many feeling the big-money deal is a risk.

Former United striker Saha is one of those, even if he is well aware of the Danish striker’s obvious talent, telling Betfred: “When you sign a footballer from abroad for that amount of money, then of course some people are going to believe it’s a gamble as many fans would have never seen the player in action before. However, when you look at the quality, the potential of the player and his age, then this signing makes sense.

“The right price is always something that’s tricky to get right, but there aren’t many available centre-forwards that are capable of playing for Manchester United.

“It is a gamble but he’s a clever player with the right mentality and profile, so I believe he will fit in really well with the team. Those qualities cost money, so regardless of whether you have to overpay for them or not, it’s the Premier League and it’s what it’s going to cost if Manchester United want to go to a different level. Højlund has the right profile to make a difference, that’s for sure.”

Speaking about the player United should have tried to sign, Saha added: “Harry Kane was the striker that I wanted Manchester United to sign most this summer as I believe he would have been capable of adapting quicker, but Højlund is still a great signing considering the massive potential he has.”