Atalanta manager Gian Piero Gasperini believes interest from Manchester United in Rasmus Hojlund led to his form suffering this season.
Hojlund scored his 15th goal of the season, across his time in Italy and Austria, on Saturday during the 3-1 victory over Verona in Serie A. This was his first league goal since March with the 20-year-old struggling to find the back of the net in the same vein as he did earlier in the year.
According to Gasperini, this drop off in goals is not solely down to the player himself. Speaking to Tuttosport, he explained: "The qualities are all there, at the beginning we had to get to know him but he immediately stood out for his great will to break through.
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"He did very well after the first stop [part of the season], then he was called up to the national team and too many rumours distracted him, then there was the [abductor] injury. Today’s goal demonstrates his power, if he knows how to improve he can take away great satisfaction.
"You have to know how to accept his moments, he will mature in all aspects." MEN Sport understands Harry Kane is Erik ten Hag's top transfer priority this summer.
However, should a move for the England captain not be possible, Hojlund is on a list of alternatives which Ten Hag may pursue. Despite only joining Atalanta from Sturm Graz in August, the Dane's previous comments hint he would be keen to move to United.
In an interview earlier this year, Hojlund explained his love for the Old Trafford club. "Now that you ask, I will not hide the fact that I am a huge Manchester United fan," he said.
"So personally, it would be one of the biggest things for me [to sign for United], but of course that doesn’t mean that I would turn down other big clubs if the offers come at some point."
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