Mansion Sports - Rasmus Højlund, the young Danish striker currently on the books at Manchester United, has emerged as a transfer target for AC Milan—just weeks after he was strongly linked with city rivals Inter Milan. 

This latest development is part of the Rossoneri's broader efforts to reinforce their squad under the leadership of newly appointed head coach Massimiliano Allegri, who is reportedly seeking a physically dominant centre-forward to spearhead the club’s attack.

AC Milan Initiate Formal Inquiry for Højlund

According to prominent Italian transfer expert Gianluca Di Marzio, AC Milan have made official contact with Manchester United within the past 24 hours to explore the possibility of acquiring Højlund. The inquiry comes in the wake of Inter Milan’s decision to step back from their pursuit of the Danish international.

Inter, who had previously identified Højlund as a potential signing, ultimately opted to sign Ange-Yoan Bonny from Parma while placing renewed faith in their emerging prospect, Pio Esposito. 

With Inter out of the picture, AC Milan now see an opening to bring Højlund back to Serie A—an environment where the player previously showed considerable promise.

The Rossoneri are believed to be particularly attracted to Højlund’s physical profile. The 21-year-old striker possesses the size, strength, and tactical discipline that align well with Allegri’s system, making him a potential long-term solution for Milan’s attacking line.

Serie A Experience Boosts Højlund’s Appeal

Højlund is no stranger to Italian football. Before his high-profile move to Manchester United in 2023—reported to be worth €77.8 million plus performance-related bonuses—he spent a season with Atalanta. 

During his time in Bergamo, the Danish forward demonstrated considerable potential, attracting the attention of top clubs across Europe.

His transition to English football, however, has been less convincing. While his arrival at Old Trafford was met with great enthusiasm, Højlund has yet to fully deliver on the lofty expectations placed upon him. 

In the 2024–2025 campaign, he registered 10 goals and 4 assists across 52 appearances in all competitions—a return that, while respectable, is viewed by many as underwhelming given his transfer fee and starting role.

His lack of consistent playing time and fluctuating form have led to speculation that a move away from Manchester may benefit both club and player.

Loan with Option to Buy: A Pragmatic Approach from Milan

Should AC Milan decide to move forward with a formal proposal, the most likely structure would be a season-long loan deal that includes an option to purchase the player outright at the end of the term. 

This approach, commonly employed by Italian clubs, serves to mitigate financial risk while allowing time for players to adjust to their new surroundings.

Given Højlund’s current struggle to secure regular minutes under Erik ten Hag at Manchester United, such a proposal could prove appealing to all parties involved. 

For Milan, the opportunity to bring in a young, physically commanding striker with proven Serie A experience presents a strategic opportunity to strengthen their frontline without making an immediate long-term commitment.

For Højlund, a return to Italy could offer a much-needed reset—allowing him to regain confidence, secure consistent playing time, and potentially reestablish himself as one of Europe’s top young forwards. 

As the summer transfer window progresses, Milan’s pursuit of Højlund will be a storyline to watch closely, especially as the Rossoneri look to rebuild their squad for a new chapter under Allegri.