Arsenal and Newcastle to lodge £44m bids for striker who’s putting Man Utd target to shame
Arsenal and Newcastle are both ‘willing’ to sanction £44m bids for a Serie A striker who’s fast emerging as a superior option to a Man Utd target, per a report.
The Gunners and Magpies both have superb options to call upon up front at present. Gabriel Jesus was near-unplayable before knee surgery robbed him of nearly three months of the campaign. At St. James’ Park, Alexander Isak has scored six league goals in just 623 minutes of action and will be a major factor in whether Newcastle can secure Champions League qualification.
Mikel Arteta and Eddie Howe also have dependable options in reserve too.
The former has Eddie Nketiah, while both Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martineli can deputise up top as well. Howe, meanwhile, has Callum Wilson champing at the bit.
However, according to a report out of Italy last month, Arsenal had joined Real Madrid in sizing up Atalanta hitman, Rasmus Hojlund.
The Denmark international has been a revelation in Bergamo this season. Hojlund was a €17m (approx. £15m) signing from Austrian side Sturm Graz late in the summer window. Between the two clubs, Hojlund has racked up 14 goals and five assists in 33 matches this term.
Those numbers might not sound overly impressive, though it’s important to note Hojlund only turned 20 last month.
Now, a fresh report from TuttoAtalanta has claimed Arsenal are primed to act on their interest. However, they’ll face stiff competition from Newcastle.
Hojlund to spark Arsenal v Newcastle bidding war
Firstly, the publication state Atalanta are fully aware they’ve struck gold with Hojlund. In their words, Atalanta ‘hit a big coup’ when doing business with Sturm Graz.
Arsenal and Newcastle are both reportedly ‘willing to shell out up to €50m’ (approx. £44m) to sign Hojlund at the end of the season.
Hojlund has clearly made a big impression on the English sides and it’s noted he’s now viewed as a superior potential purchase than that of Man Utd target, Dusan Vlahovic.
The Juventus frontman has been linked with Arsenal and Newcastle in the past, though the pair have been so impressed with Hojlund that he’s now superseded Vlahovic in their shortlists.
Vlahovic has repeatedly been mentioned as Man Utd target for the upcoming summer in the event they’re unable to land Harry Kane or Victor Osimhen.
CalcioMercatoWeb claimed a Vlahovic exit this summer – given Juve look destined to miss out on the riches of UCL qualification – is ‘almost inevitable’.
TuttoAtalanta don’t outright state Atalanta would be open to selling Hojlund, though it is hinted at.
Indeed, they conclude the Serie A outfit could ‘realise an important capital gain’ by flipping Hojlund for a roughly £29m profit just 12 months after he arrived.
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