Rasmus Hojlund had already attracted plenty of suitors before his remarkable five-goal haul for Denmark during the international break - and it's anticipated that transfer interest in the striker will only ramp up in the coming months.
The 20-year-old, who is currently contracted to Serie A outfit Atalanta, bagged a hat-trick and a brace for his country this week to underline why he's been likened to Manchester City goal machine Erling Haaland.
Unsurprisingly, Premier League clubs have been keeping tabs on Hojlund, with Arsenal and Manchester United both closely monitoring the youngster ahead of the summer transfer window. And although Hojlund has previously admitted he is a "huge" United fan, he's also made it clear that he wouldn't dismiss interest from other top clubs, such as the reigning Premier League leaders.
Speaking back in January, Hojlund revealed: “ Now that you ask, I will not hide the fact that I am a huge Manchester United fan. So personally, it would be one of the biggest things for me, but of course, that doesn’t mean that I would turn down other big clubs if the offers come at some point.”
According to Calciomercato, it's Arsenal and Juventus, rather than Manchester United, who currently lead the race for Hojlund, with the Gunners in 'pole position'.
Given that Hojlund only arrived at Atalanta in €17million (£14.9m) deal last summer, it is believed that the Serie A side would demand around double that sum to do business with any of Hojlund's suitors at the end of the season. However, the report outlines that the striker's valuation is 'destined' to rise again in the wake of his recent form.
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Speaking earlier in the season, Atalanta sporting director Tony D'Amico outlined that Hojlund was an investment and predicted that his value would rise due to the amount of minutes he has been given by head coach Gian Piero Gasperini this season.
He said: “ More than a gamble, Hojlund is a great investment that the club very much wants. Few players from 2003 have this amount of playing time in Italy. He has great room for improvement and, with [Gian Piero] Gasperini, he can become very strong.”
Although Arsenal are well stocked in the striker department following the capture of Leandro Trossard in January and Gabriel Jesus last summer, acquiring Hojlund could still appeal to Gunners boss Mikel Arteta, who will require a bigger squad next year with the Londoners set to return to the Champions League.
Any deal for Hojlund could jeopardise Folarin Balogun's future at the club, though, given the Hale End graduate is likely to want first-team football after impressing on loan in Ligue 1 with Reims this season and has already been linked with a permanent switch.
