Arsenal are in pole position to sign Danish striker Rasmus Hojlund, as per CalcioMercato.
What’s the latest on Arsenal’s interest in Hojlund?
The Denmark international’s form has ensured that he has admirers from all over the world, with the Gunners eyeing up a potential deal for the forward, thought to be in the region of €45m (£40m)
The former Sturm Graz forward, who has 17 goals across 36 matches in all competitions this season, has also acquired interest form Juventus, although there are hopes at the club that Dusan Vlahovic’s form will improve and signing Hojlund won’t be necessary.
However, Arsenal also find themselves in pole position, as per the report, so they could have a clean run at signing the 20-year-old this summer.
Should the Gunners go all-in for Hojlund?
Mikel Arteta’s side find themselves at the top of the Premier League with just 10 matches to go. It has been no easy feat for the Spaniard, but getting to this stage has shown his mixture of trusting in youth with an added element of more experienced players, such as Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko, joining the ranks in north London.
Despite Arsenal’s climb to the top, there is still a clear difference between themselves and Manchester City: depth. Signing Hojlund, who has scored five goals in two matches in his Euro 2024 qualifiers, would bring another young player of the highest calibre to the Emirates.
The 20-year-old, dubbed the ‘new Erling Haaland’ by journalists at Mundo Deportivo, has a goal-per-shot ratio of 0.22, as per FBref. When compared to in-form Arsenal loanee Folarin Balogun (0.16), this is higher by 0.06.
Also according to FBref, the Blonde Bomber also ranks more favourably when it comes to outperforming expected goals (xG). Hojlund, who has an xG of six this campaign but has scored seven times. Whereas Balogun is underperforming his xG by 1.5 this season.
The former FC Copenhagen forward – who scout Jacek Kulig lauded as “an absolute monster in the making” just this week – has proven he is imperative for Atalanta. As per WhoScored, he has a 6.67 average Serie A match rating this season, and is in the top 1% for progressive passes received, which means he is a consistent attacking outlet for the Oribici.
Sporting director Edu Gaspar has the potential to launch Arsenal’s future, which already looks bright under Arteta’s regime, to the next level by signing Hojlund.
Despite already having Jesus, Balogun and Eddie Nketiah rivalling for this position, the added competition of Hojlund would fill the squad to the brim with young talent.