Manchester United are interested in signing a £12 million forward who has outscored Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee this season, according to a new report.
Rasmus Hojlund open to leaving Man Utd
It has been a very difficult season for both Hojlund and Zirkzee this season, but the latter seems to be slowly finding his feet at Old Trafford despite the goals not flowing in. For Hojlund, while he scored in the win over Leicester City on Sunday, his performances have thrown his future at the club into doubt.
£50m+ Man Utd ace open to leaving Old Trafford as club hold transfer talks
Man Utd may have a decision to make over one of their players this summer, as a club chases his signature.
ByBrett WorthingtonMar 18, 2025
It’s now being claimed by reports in Italy, relayed by Man Utd news, that Italian giants Napoli have placed Hojlund at the top of their transfer wishlist, as Antonio Conte wants to sign a new striker. Hojlund is a player the club has under consideration, and the update adds that the Dane would “gladly” return to Italy after he played for Atalanta before joining the Red Devils.
Hojlund was a hefty investment for United, as they paid £63 million to secure his services back in 2023, and if he were to leave this summer, the Premier League side would want at least £51 million, as that would allow them to avoid a loss in their financial books. It is claimed that the price tag could be a problem for Napoli, but despite that, they have held “first exploratory talks”, as they consider the Denmark international as someone who could compete with current striker Romelu Lukaku.
Man Utd add new 24 y/o forward to transfer wishlist
So while Hojlund could be set for an Old Trafford exit, according to United in Focus, Man United have added Mainz striker Jonathan Burkardt to their shortlist as they search for a new number nine.
The report claims that the Red Devils are working hard behind the scenes to have a list of striker options heading into the summer transfer window. Burkardt has been added to that list after impressing club scouts, and therefore, they issued a glowing report on the forward. His performances in Germany this year have seen his Transfermarkt value rise, as he is now valued at roughly £21 million.
Mainz are a side that uses the 3-4-3 system that Ruben Amorim employs at Old Trafford, and Burkardt’s ability to fit into that system also makes him a standout choice. However, United are not alone in their pursuit, as other teams from the Premier League are also interested in signing the 24-year-old.
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Burkardt, who is said to be likened to Newcastle’s Alexander Isak, has been at Mainz since July 2014. He worked his way into their first team, and since 2018, he has been a regular in the side as they have cemented themselves as a Bundesliga team.
Last season, Burkardt scored eight goals in 21 league games, but already this season he has surpassed that, scoring 15 goals in 22 league games and 16 in all competitions and has captained the club regularly in 2024/25. That means the German has outscored both Hojlund and Zirkzee combined, as the pair have eight and six goals, respectively.