Arsenal ‘prepare monstrous offer for Rasmus Hojlund’ with the Atalanta star earning comparisons to Erling Haaland… but face competition from Real Madrid with the Danish striker ‘lined up to succeed Karim Benzema’
- Arsenal and Real Madrid have reportedly watched Atalanta’s Rasmus Hojlund
- Hojlund has scored six goals in Serie A since joined Atalanta back in August
- Gian Piero Gasperini has compared Hojlund to Manchester City’s Erling Haaland
Arsenal are reportedly planning to make an offer for Atalanta striker Rasmus Hojlund, but could face competition for his signature from Real Madrid.
The Danish forward joined Atalanta in August in a £15million move, with the 20-year-old forcing his way into the starting line-up ahead of Duvan Zapata and Luis Muriel.
Hojlund scored one Serie A goal prior to the World Cup break, but has been prolific since the season resumed, scoring five in his last eight league appearances.
Arsenal are set to test Atalanta in the summer with a ‘monstrous offer’, according to Italian newspaper la Repubblica.
The Gunners reportedly watched Hojlund during Atalanta’s 2-0 win over Lazio earlier this month, with the forward on target in the triumph.
Arsenal and Real Madrid are expected to make offers for Atalanta striker Rasmus Hojlund
Mikel Arteta could turn to the 20-year-old Danish star to bolster Arsenal’s forward options
Real Madrid are reportedly keen on Hojlund as a potential successor to Karim Benzema
Real Madrid president Florentino Perez is also claimed to be an admirer of the forward.
Los Blancos have reportedly earmarked Hojlund as a possible deputy to Balon d’Or winner Karim Benzema, with a view to the Dane being a long-term successor to the 35-year-old.
Atalanta coach Gian Piero Gasperini had hailed Hojlund following their win over Lazio.
The Italian compared the 6ft 4in centre forward to Manchester City star Erling Haaland.
‘Hojlund has this spirit, energy, intensity, but also technical quality that is just remarkable,’ Gasperini said, according to football.italia.
‘He still has so much margin for improvement, too. He has very similar characteristics to Haaland, not just his face.
‘He is so quick, he’s under 11 seconds over 100m and that’s not even trying very hard. Considering his height, he has a low centre of gravity and can move his legs very fast.
Atalanta coach Gian Piero Gasperini said Hojlund has a remarkable technical quality
Gasperini compared Hojlund’s characteristics to Manchester City star Erling Haaland
‘I am convinced he’ll have a great career, he just gets stronger every day.’
Hojlund began his professional career at Copenhagen, where he scored five goals in 32 games.
The young forward then scored 12 goals in 21 games for Sturm Graz after moving to the Austrian side for £1milllion, before making the switch to Atalanta.
Hojlund has made two appearances for Denmark to date, after making his national team debut last year.
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