Lookman for Højlund? Man United eye transfer gamble

Manchester United are reportedly considering an audacious transfer move that could see them send Danish striker Rasmus Højlund back to Atalanta in exchange for Ademola Lookman, Soccernet.ng reports.

Højlund joined United from Atalanta for a reported fee of £66 million in the summer of 2023, but the 22-year-old has struggled to consistently deliver the goals expected of a striker at Old Trafford.

According to Sun News, as cited by Transfer News Live, United are exploring a swap deal that would bring Lookman to the Premier League giants ahead of the 2025-26 season campaign.

The former Everton and RB Leipzig forward has been in fine form for Atalanta, scoring 18 goals and providing seven assists in 36 match appearances for Atalanta so far this season.

Lookman notably bagged a hat-trick in the Europa League final against Bayer Leverkusen and has become one of Atalanta’s most valuable assets.

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Not only that, having won the 2024 CAF Player of the Year, alongside being ranked 14th in last year's Ballon d'Or, makes him a tempting prospect for the Red Devils, who are in search of a player who will bolster their attack following a dismal 2024-25 campaign.

Should this deal materialise, it would mark a dramatic return to Bergamo for Højlund, just two years after he left. Meanwhile, Lookman could be in line for a return to England.

There has been no official word from either club, but the potential swap could be one of the surprise moves of the summer.