Erik ten Hag dreams of taking Hojlund from Manchester United to Bayer Leverkusen
After a disappointing season at Manchester United, Rasmus Højlund could be heading to Bayer Leverkusen with Erik ten Hag pushing for a reunion.
According to CaughtOffside, the Dutch coach is pressuring Leverkusen’s board to sign the 22-year-old Danish striker, whom he previously managed at Old Trafford. Despite a tough year in England, Ten Hag reportedly believes Højlund still has the potential to thrive in the Bundesliga.
Manchester United Ready to Sell Højlund
Manchester United appear ready to offload the striker. Club officials no longer believe in his fit under current manager Rúben Amorim, who has sidelined him in preseason preparations.
Højlund joined the Red Devils from Atalanta in 2023 for €77.8 million (R$496 million), but failed to justify the price tag, scoring just 10 goals in all competitions last season.
Højlund and Ten Hag: A Short-Lived Success
Despite his overall struggles, Højlund had standout moments—especially in the 2023-24 UEFA Champions League, where he scored 5 goals in 6 matches. He was also part of the United squad that won the FA Cup under Ten Hag.
However, both player and coach became lightning rods for criticism as Manchester United failed to meet expectations.
Now that Ten Hag has taken over at Bayer Leverkusen, he sees Højlund as a key part of his new project in Germany.
Atalanta and Lazio Also in the Race
While Bayer Leverkusen leads the chase, Italian clubs are also monitoring Højlund’s situation:
- Atalanta are eyeing a reunion, viewing Højlund as a potential replacement for Ademola Lookman.
- Lazio has also made inquiries as they look to bolster their attacking options.
For Højlund, the choice may come down to returning to Serie A, where he first made a name for himself, or rejoining Ten Hag, the manager who once believed in him as United’s No. 9.
