Manchester United have reportedly submitted a “letter of interest” in young Danish striker Rasmus Højlund, dubbed ‘the next Haaland’, as a number of clubs are said to have begun circling.
Rasmus Højlund is only 20 years old but has already started to attract the attention of United, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and more this season, as the youngster looks like he could be one of the brightest new talents in world football.
The promising centre-forward currently plays his club football for Serie A side Atalanta after joining them last summer, registering eight goals and three assists in 28 appearances (just 16 starts), but it’s also his performances for Denmark that have seen comparisons drawn to Erling Haaland.
Scoring five goals in just two games during the previous international break, one of which was an impressive hattrick against fellow Nordic nation Finland, both Danish and Italian press have teased that he could be ‘the next Haaland‘ and it looks like United aren’t wanting to miss out on this one.
#mufc, along with Real Madrid, have made an initial enquiry to Atalanta about Rasmus Hojlund's availability this summer. He could be available for £60m. [@DiscoMirror] pic.twitter.com/AgqFFQyhUn
As per Danish outlet B.T., “some of the biggest clubs in the world are courting” the in-demand Dane (as many as five thus far if rumours are to be believed) but United and Real Madrid are said to be the only two that “have concretely shown their interest in the form of a so-called letter of interest”.
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Nevertheless, whilst nothing firm has materialised as yet — with Højlund still without an agent and only likely to entertain another move once he has new representation — this preliminary approach has been described as a “clear indication that the two giants have big thoughts about the Danish golden boy”.
According to the Mirror, it would seem that United now have a three-man shortlist when it comes to their search for a centre-forward, with Højlund said to be just behind the likes of Harry Kane and Napoli striker Victor Osimhen, both of which have been linked with moves to Old Trafford.
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It’s been suggested that his signature would cost around £60 million this summer, which might sound like a lot for someone still so young, but with 14 goals and six assists in 36 games across all competitions this season for Atlanta and former club Sturm Graz, you can see why clubs are interested.
Highlight reels like this make the ‘next Haaland’ sound less over the top.
Moreover, it isn’t just these impressive early stats that has seen him slapped with the ‘Haaland 2.0’ tag; hailing from a fellow Scandinavian country doesn’t hurt and nor does a quick turn pace plus his six-foot-two stature — natural attributes that are only further complimented by his apparent finishing ability.
In fact, not only did his coach Gian Piero Gasperini say there are lots of similarities “especially in acceleration… low centre of gravity and an incredible stride frequency”, but even Højlund himself has compared himself to the Norwegian striking sensation in the past.
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Lastly, it’s no secret that United are in need of a proper number nine and, equally, the forward said back in January that he “can’t hide the fact that [he is] a huge Manchester United fan” and that a move “would be one of the biggest things for me”.
Would you like to see ‘the next Haaland’ up front for United, Reds, or do you want a more proven talent?
Featured Image — Rasmus Højlund/Erling Haaland (via Instagram)
Sport
The 2027 World Climbing Series is coming to Manchester
Danny Jones
In yet more huge sporting news for Greater Manchester, the 2027 World Climbing Series is coming to 0161 later this year.
We’ve had plenty of big peaks of late, but things seem to just keep going up and up.
Set to host the global event for the first time in our history, Manchester will welcome the World Climbing Series (WCS), which is set to include both Olympic and Paralympic disciplines ahead of the next Summer Games in 2028.
2027 will mark the 38th edition of the series, which will also be one of only a handful to be held in the North – it’s just down to our city to make it the best.
Officially announced on Friday, 16 January, the British Mountaineering Council (BMC) confirmed the return to the UK.
Founded back in 1989, the International Federation of Sport Climbing (IFSC) is coming up on four decades since the competition first began – Leeds being chosen as the inaugural hosts – the event has come a long way since then.
The IFSC’s rebranding of the annual bouldering, lead and speed trials to the modern WSC, which began last year, was initially revealed back in 2023.
Welcoming continental talent right down to the youth level, the upcoming 2026 World Climbing Series is taking place in the summer and will be hosted by the city of Innsbruck in Austria.
As for the WSC’s Manchester debut, which is being organised in collaboration with the City Council, Manchester Accommodation BID, MCR Active and the National Lottery via UK Sport investment.
It’s not the only big sporting celebration that the Council will be supporting in 2027.
Paul Ratcliffe, CEO of the British Mountaineering Council, said in an official statement: “It’s exciting to be able to confirm that a World Series climbing event will return to the UK in 2027 as part of the BMC’s major event programme.
“Hosting a competition of this scale in Manchester is a strong statement about the UK’s place on the international climbing stage and a great opportunity for our athletes, fans, the climbing community and the wider public to experience the sport at the very highest level.
“Our ‘Route to Adventure’ strategy sets out how we will build on moments like this to support people into climbing and help them progress, whatever their starting point. Using major events to inspire participation, strengthen pathways and reinforce our commitment to inclusion is central to our long-term approach.”
Scheduled to take place in June, you can find out more information about the 2027 World Climbing Series in Manchester by signing up for the official event mailing list HERE.
Manchester City agree deal to sign top Premier League defender Marc Guehi
Danny Jones
It looks like they’ve finally got a done deal: Manchester City have reportedly agreed a deal for the transfer of highly sought-after defender Marc Guehi.
Man City are said to have finally reached an agreement with Crystal Palace to sign the increasingly established Three Lions star after emerging as a suitor in recent weeks.
Pep Guardiola’s pursuit of the impressive Premier League centre-back ramped up earlier this month, as it became apparent that they were hoping to hijack Liverpool’s prospective move for Guehi.
The Ivory Coast-born England international looked all set to arrive at Anfield back in the summer, but the deal never materialised, and now rivals City appear to have sealed his signature.
According to breaking transfer news specialist Fabrizio Romano, Palace and Man City are said to have now reached an agreement in principle for approximately £20 million.
It’s fair to say that it’s an absolute bargain for a player of his quality.
While details surrounding contract length, wages and add-ons, etc., are yet to be fully confirmed (as is final verification as per an official announcement via his new employers), personal terms are not expected to be an issue.
On the other hand, the acquisition will also see Man City’s total spending to roughly half a billion pounds over the past year alone. Staggering sums for any sporting outfit.
Not that his former London team will mind one bit, of course, as it became increasingly clear that Guehi would be leaving eventually; manager Oliver Glasner – who also seems set to depart at the end of his contract – even addressed the sale in his most recent press conference.
You can see the clip in question down below.
''I wish him all the best for the rest of his career, he will have a great career I think''
Once again, we will have to wait for the official unveiling at the Etihad Campus, but we’d say that this interview is all the verification you need.
With Man City currently facing multiple absences, particularly in their backline with both Josko Gvardiol and Ruben Dias out injured, Guehi’s arrival is no doubt a welcome one.
Although many debated whether or not Pep needed to sign another centre-half, especially with two promising youth players returning from loan, supporters will nevertheless be glad to have snatched him from the clutches of Liverpool.
Over in the women’s team, they’ve also brought in a new member of the squad who could help spur on their title charge.
Danny Jones -
20th April 2023 
