AC Milan have turned their attention to Manchester United’s young Danish forward, Rasmus Højlund, as the Italian giants look to strengthen their attacking options ahead of the new season. Reports emerging from both England and Italy suggest that Milan’s management has identified Højlund as a potential key signing, and initial contacts have been made to understand the feasibility of a deal for the 22-year-old.
Højlund, who arrived at Old Trafford last summer from Atalanta for a reported fee of around €75 million including add-ons, endured an up-and-down debut season in the Premier League. Despite flashes of brilliance and a promising Champions League campaign, he often struggled for consistent service in a Manchester United side that has lacked cohesion under Erik ten Hag. Højlund finished the season with 16 goals in all competitions — a respectable tally for a player still adjusting to the intensity and physicality of English football.
AC Milan’s interest is motivated by several factors. Firstly, the club is keen to rejuvenate its forward line following the departure of veteran striker Olivier Giroud, who has joined LAFC in Major League Soccer. The Rossoneri see Højlund as an ideal profile: young, physically strong, quick, and with Serie A experience from his successful stint at Atalanta, where he scored 9 league goals and showcased the dynamic pressing style that first caught United’s attention.
However, negotiating a deal will not be straightforward. Manchester United consider Højlund a key part of their project and are unlikely to let him leave easily, especially given the significant investment they made just a year ago. Any deal would likely require Milan to present a compelling offer — either a high transfer fee, a structured loan with a sizeable obligation to buy, or potentially a player-plus-cash arrangement.
Financially, AC Milan have been careful in the transfer market in recent years, balancing ambitious signings with sustainability. The club’s new leadership under Gerry Cardinale’s RedBird Capital is determined to return Milan to the pinnacle of European football without breaching financial fair play regulations. This means any big-money move for Højlund would need to be offset by player sales or creative structuring, possibly involving add-ons or staggered payments.
For Højlund himself, a return to Italy could be appealing. At Atalanta, he thrived in a system that played to his strengths — quick transitions, space to run into, and a clear tactical identity. Milan believe they can offer him similar conditions, with new head coach Paulo Fonseca reportedly eager to build a high-pressing, fluid attacking unit that could suit Højlund’s style.
The player’s camp is said to be aware of Milan’s interest but is yet to make any formal moves to force an exit. Much may depend on Manchester United’s own transfer activity this summer. United are rumoured to be in the market for an experienced striker to share the goalscoring burden with Højlund. If they were to secure a marquee name — someone like Joshua Zirkzee, Victor Osimhen or Ivan Toney — it could open the door for Højlund to reconsider his future role at the club.
This potential move would also add another intriguing twist to the summer transfer window, highlighting the increasing trend of top clubs looking to capitalise on opportunities with young players whose situations have not fully stabilised. For Milan, it would represent a statement of intent, signaling that they are serious about challenging both domestically and in Europe. For United, it could raise questions about squad planning and whether they are willing to sacrifice a promising young striker after just one season.
As things stand, there is no official offer on the table, and the negotiations remain at an exploratory stage. But with weeks to go before pre-season kicks into high gear, and with both clubs looking to reshape their squads, the situation could develop rapidly. Højlund’s future may well become one of the key storylines to watch in what promises to be another unpredictable and dramatic
transfer window.
