Man United Hojlund capture could spark EPL transfer rush, with Chelsea, Liverpool and Man City set for business
- Manchester United closing on Atalanta striker and two clubs linked with Mbappe
- Chelsea, Manchester City and Liverpool all looking to add to their squads as season opener nears
Premier League clubs have kept their powder fairly dry over the opening seven weeks of the summer transfer window. Indeed, the majority of headlines have been captured by high-profile exits for the riches of the Saudi Pro League.
But Manchester United are set to complete a big-money swoop for 20-year-old Atalanta striker Rasmus Hojlund, ushering in a rush of activity with clubs having until September 1 to complete their squads for the remainder of the calendar year.
Hojlund’s move after one season in Italy underlines the league’s global power and appeal, with English clubs - notwithstanding the emerging Saudi competition and a handful of European competitors - having their pick of the world’s talent.
And Manchester City are reportedly set to return to Germany after last year’s twin-raid on Borussia Dortmund for Erling Haaland and Manuel Akanji to pay in the region of US$103 million for RB Leipzig’s 21-year-old Croatia international centre-half Josko Gvardiol.
There is plenty of intrigue, meanwhile, over the immediate future of Kylian Mbappe, with both Chelsea and Liverpool talking to Paris Saint-Germain about a one-year loan for the striker.
Mbappe and PSG are locked in an increasingly fractious marriage that will end in the pair splitting up at some point. The French striker’s refusal to speak to Saudi club Al-Hilal about a move only enraged his employers further.
