Man United 'approach rejected' for 20-year-old striker who scored 19 league goals last year
Man United have reportedly seen an approach rejected for a promising striker from the Serie A.
Manchester United’s search for a striker continues this summer as Ruben Amorim aims to add more goals to his squad. He has already added Matheus Cunha, and now Bryan Mbeumo looks set to join up with the team, which should provide a massive boost.
Amorim still wants to sign a striker, however, and the United boss has seen several options slide by so far. Viktor Gyokeres seems set to join Arsenal, Hugo Ekitike looks close to joining Liverpool, and United already missed out on Liam Delap, who moved to Chelsea.
Amorim is having to consider other options this summer, but they have reportedly seen an ‘approach rejected’ for a Serie A striker, who is more of a promising young option compared to some of their other targets.
Inter reject Man United’s approach for Pio Esposito
One striker that United reportedly have an interest in is Inter Milan’s 20-year-old star Francesco Pio Esposito. The Italian striker spent last season on loan with Serie B side Spezia, for whom he scored 19 league goals, generating transfer interest in the process.
According to Italian outlet Football Italia, Inter have turned down requests from Manchester United and Atalanta. The report includes that United were the first team to enquire about the 20-year-old back in the January transfer window, whilst Pio Esposito was still at Spezia.
Inter reportedly see the Italian striker as a part of their plans, despite the fact that they sent him out on loan last year, and also despite the fact that they are currently in negotiations to sign Atalanta striker Ademola Lookman. United have also been linked to the Nigerian.
Pio Esposito has an estimated market value of around £21m, however, Inter would likely have demanded a lot more than that in any transfer bid due to his high potential and young age.
Man United could offer Hojlund for Pio Esposito
Seeing as Inter don’t want to sell the 20-year-old because he is a striker for the future, Man United could instead offer them a swap deal, which would see Rasmus Hojlund move to Italy, and Pio Esposito come to Old Trafford.
Hojlund is only 22, and still has a lot of potential. Furthermore, he has been linked with a move to Inter Milan, so the Italian giants could maybe be more tempted to sell Pio Esposito if United are offering the lure of a replacement, who is arguably just as promising.
The Danish international has also been linked to Napoli, with reports suggesting that he could leave Old Trafford this summer following a season where he scored just four goals in the Premier League. It is understood however that Hojlund would like to stay, and he could benefit from playing behind a more experienced striker if United were to sign one.