Arsenal ‘now frontrunners for next Erling Haaland’ as Mikel Arteta targets superstar striker to fight Jesus for top spot
ARSENAL are allegedly in pole position to sign Rasmus Hojlund this summer.
The 20-year-old has enjoyed an incredible international break with five goals in two matches for Denmark.
He has scored seven goals in his debut campaign for Atalanta, following a £15m summer move from Austria’s Sturm Graz, with many comparing him to Manchester City’s Norwegian hotshot Erling Haaland.
Now a clutch of Europe’s big guns are beginning to circle for the ace, including Manchester United and Juventus.
However, Italian outlet Calciomercato have declared that Arsenal are the frontrunners to sign Hojlund.
And they claim that any potential deal will cost around £30m – double the fee Serie A side Atalanta forked out for him just a few months ago.
It follows on from reports yesterday that Arsenal are scouting five strikers ahead of the summer, with Hojlund one of them.
The Gunners are currently eight points clear at the top of the table ahead of rivals Manchester City as they close in on a first title since 2004.
That is despite Mikel Arteta’s side suffering a number of problems in attack this term.
Gabriel Jesus has only just returned following a four-month absence due to injury.
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Eddie Nketiah led the line for most of his absence, but the 23-year-old has found himself replaced in recent weeks with winger Leondro Trossard being deployed as a false nine.
Arteta is determined not to be left short of options again and has made a new striker a top priority to challenge Jesus.
Arsenal have been scouting “a more physical” forward with five players being watched to add an “extra dimension” to their attack.
We reported how Juventus are “preparing for life” without 6ft 3in star Dusan Vlahovic, who the Gunners have tracked long-term.
Vlahovic, 23, joined Juventus from Fiorentina back in January 2022 after snubbing the chance to move to the Premier League with Arsenal.
The Serb has scored eleven this term but has struggled for goals over recent weeks for his club although Arteta is still a fan.
England internationals Dominic Calvert-Lewin at Everton, 26, and Roma’s Tammy Abraham, 25, also both “fit the mould” of what he is looking for.
The North London team have been linked with both previously and this fresh update says they are still being scouted.
They are also in the transfer chase for Napoli’s Nigerian goal machine Victor Osimhen but face stiff competition from Man United and a host of other clubs for his signature.