🚨 Inter Milan’s Player-Plus-Cash Offer for Rasmus Højlund Rejected by Manchester United

🚨 Inter Milan’s Player-Plus-Cash Offer for Rasmus Højlund Rejected by Manchester United

 

In what could have been one of the more dramatic moves of the summer transfer window, Inter Milan recently submitted a player-plus-cash proposal to Manchester United for young striker Rasmus Højlund. As per multiple reports, the Serie A giants offered Mehdi Taremi as part of the package, hoping to tempt the Red Devils into a swap deal that would reduce the overall cash burden. However, Manchester United have firmly rejected the offer, insisting on an outright sale only if Højlund is to leave Old Trafford.

 

This move underscores how highly United value the Danish international, despite an inconsistent debut season, and reflects their reluctance to make impulsive decisions about key assets under the new INEOS-led leadership.

 

 

—

 

The Proposal: Taremi + Cash for Højlund 🔄💰

 

Inter Milan, known for their savvy moves in the transfer market, reportedly approached Manchester United with a formal offer involving veteran Iranian striker Mehdi Taremi, along with a cash component. While exact financial details remain unclear, sources suggest the offer valued Højlund below United’s expectations, and the inclusion of Taremi — while respectable on paper — was seen as unsatisfactory by the English club.

 

Taremi, who recently joined Inter after an impressive stint at Porto, is 31 years old and brings experience and goal-scoring prowess. However, he’s also nearing the twilight of his career and doesn’t align with Manchester United’s current direction of building a youthful, long-term squad. United were swift in their response — rejecting the offer outright, and communicating that only a full cash bid will be considered if they are to part ways with Højlund.

 

 

—

 

Why Manchester United Rejected the Deal ❌

 

There are several reasons Manchester United turned down Inter’s proposal:

 

1. Belief in Højlund’s Potential

 

Rasmus Højlund was signed by United last summer from Atalanta for a fee in excess of £70 million. While his debut season was a mixed bag — with moments of brilliance in European competitions but also stretches of goalless runs in the Premier League — the club still believes in his long-term potential.

 

At just 21 years of age, Højlund is seen as a long-term project. He’s physical, quick, determined, and tactically intelligent. United’s coaching staff and board recognize that strikers often take time to adjust to the Premier League. Offloading him after one season, especially for an aging player like Taremi, would send the wrong message about the club’s development strategy.

 

2. Strategic Alignment Under INEOS

 

Since Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s INEOS group took control of football operations at Manchester United, the focus has shifted toward sustainability, smarter transfers, and long-term planning. Accepting a swap deal for a 31-year-old forward contradicts that direction. United want to invest in players who will peak over the next 3–5 years, not those approaching the end of their careers.

 

Mehdi Taremi might be a proven goal-scorer, but his age, lack of Premier League experience, and declining resale value made him an unattractive asset in this context.

 

3. Financial Fair Play Considerations

 

Manchester United are also navigating Financial Fair Play (FFP) constraints, and an outright sale of Højlund would provide a cleaner balance sheet entry than a complicated swap deal. Cash sales allow for more flexibility in reinvesting in the squad — particularly in positions of urgent need like midfield and centre-back. A player-plus-cash deal, in contrast, would muddle United’s ability to plan reinvestments efficiently.

 

 

—

 

Inter Milan’s Angle: Why They Want Højlund 🔵⚫

 

Inter Milan’s interest in Højlund is not a surprise. Despite already having Lautaro Martínez and Marcus Thuram, the club is looking to add depth and youth to their attack. Højlund, being Danish and Serie A-proven from his Atalanta days, fits the bill perfectly.

 

Inter believe that Højlund’s skill set — especially his off-the-ball movement, strength, and finishing — would be a valuable asset in Simone Inzaghi’s system. However, given their tight budget, they hoped to leverage their recent acquisition of Mehdi Taremi to sweeten the deal and lower the cash commitment.

 

Unfortunately for Inter, United were unmoved. Despite Taremi scoring 20+ goals multiple times for Porto and being a seasoned Champions League performer, his profile simply didn’t fit what United are looking for.

 

 

—

 

United’s Striker Plans Moving Forward ⚽

 

By rejecting the Inter offer, United have signaled that they intend to keep Højlund — unless a substantial cash-only offer changes their mind. But even if such an offer arrived, United would likely demand a fee north of £65 million, close to what they paid just a year ago.

 

If United were to sell Højlund, they would then be forced into the market for a high-level replacement — a difficult task given the scarcity of elite No. 9s and the club’s financial restrictions. Targets like Victor Osimhen, Ivan Toney, or Joshua Zirkzee would all require significant financial outlay, making the option of simply sticking with Højlund more practical.

 

It’s also worth mentioning that Højlund still has the support of manager Erik ten Hag, who continues to rate the young Dane highly. The club believes he could be far more productive in the upcoming season, especially with improved service from the midfield and wide areas.

 

 

—

 

Inter Could Still Return — But With Cash 💸

 

While their initial bid has been rejected, Inter may not be entirely out of the race. If they can offload players like Joaquin Correa or Denzel Dumfries to raise funds, they could potentially return with a cash-only offer. But even then, prying Højlund away from Old Trafford won’t be easy.

 

Unless United are looking to completely reshape their attack — which seems unlikely at this stage — a sale would only happen if a truly irresistible offer arrives, or if Højlund himself were to push for a move, which has not happened.

 

 

—

 

Final Thoughts 🧠

 

Manchester United’s firm rejection of Inter Milan’s player-plus-cash bid for Rasmus Højlund sends a clear message: they’re not ready to give up on their young striker. Despite a challenging first season, the club views him as an integral part of their future, and any suitor will have to pay top dollar if they wish to change that.

 

Inter Milan’s attempt, while creative, was never likely to succeed — especially with Mehdi Taremi being the makeweight. The age difference, career trajectory, and lack of long-term value made the offer a mismatch for what United are trying to build.

 

For now, it appears that Rasmus Højlund will remain a Red Devil, ready to prove doubters wrong in the upcoming campaign. And unless a major European power returns with a sizeable cash bid, that’s how it will stay.