Arsenal and Real Madrid fight it out for ‘new Haaland’

Carlo Garganese

• Updated: 21 Feb 2023 14:17 GMT
• 4 min read

Arsenal and Real Madrid are considering making a move to sign Atalanta wonderkid Rasmus Hojlund.

According to La Repubblica, the English and Spanish giants are both big fans of the striker who has been labelled the “new Erling Haaland’.

Real Madrid are looking for a new long-term successor to Karim Benzema, who is now 35.

PROFILE: Who is Rasmus Hojlund?

Benzema will extend his contract that expires at the end of the season but Madrid plan to buy a successor this summer.

As for Arsenal, they plan to buy at least one attacker this summer as they lack depth in their forward department.

This has been shown during the period in which they have been without Gabriel Jesus, with Eddie Nketiah the only alternative for the number 9 role.

Hojlund has exploded in 2023 as one of the most exciting young talents in European football.

He has scored six goals already in the calendar year and has forged a mouthwatering partnership with fellow 2022 summer signing Ademola Lookman. This has led Atalanta into the top four of Serie A.

Despite only just turning 20 this month, Hojlund is a giant in a boy’s body.

Just like Haaland, he stands at 6ft 4in and regularly bullies defenders physically, holding up the ball with his back to play expertly.

But he is also technically brilliant. Just like Haaland, he boasts a lovely left foot but also has the ability to dribble and run with the ball.

What did Gasperini say about Hojlund?

Atalanta coach Gian Piero Gasperini sung Hojlund’s praises after his brilliant performance in the 2-0 win over Lazio in Rome a fortnight ago.

“Hojlund has this spirit, energy, intensity, but also technical quality that is just remarkable,” Gasperini said on Saturday.

“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. I am convinced he’ll have a great career, he just gets stronger every day.”

Both Arsenal and Real Madrid have been buying a number of talented youngsters in recent seasons, and Hojlund could be the next to join one of their stables.