Arsenal, Real Madrid to battle for Atalanta's Rasmus Hojlund?

Arsenal and Real Madrid are reportedly keeping an eye on Atalanta BC striker Rasmus Hojlund.

The 20-year-old has immediately hit the ground running with La Dea since joining in the summer window, coming up with seven goals and two assists in 21 appearances in all tournaments.

Since the turn of the year, Hojlund has netted in five of Atalanta's last eight Serie A matches, including in each of their last two against Lazio and Lecce.

Atalanta are protected by a long-term contract for the Denmark international, who is not due to become a free agent until 2027, but he has understandably caught the eye of foreign clubs.

According to La Repubblica, both Arsenal and Real Madrid have taken a liking to the 2003-born forward, with Blancos scouts recently watching him in action against Lazio.

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Real president Florentino Perez is understood to be a big fan of Hojlund, whom he views as an ideal long-term successor to current number nine Karim Benzema.

Benzema won the Ballon d'Or in 2022 after firing Los Blancos to La Liga and Champions League glory, and the 35-year-old has contributed 18 goals and five assists in 24 games this term.

However, Benzema has struggled to stay fit throughout the season, and he has now entered the final six months of his deal with Real, who intend to tie him down to a short-term extension.

Carlo Ancelotti is understandably starting to plan for life without the former France international, but Real will still need to fight off the attention of Arsenal to strike a deal for Hojlund.

Mikel Arteta had the luxury of choosing between Gabriel Jesus, Eddie Nketiah and Folarin Balogun in pre-season, but the latter has since lit up Ligue 1 since joining Reims on loan.

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Balogun is the joint-top scorer in the league with 15 goals in 23 appearances, sitting alongside Kylian Mbappe and Jonathan David at the top of the Ligue 1 scoring charts.

Reims' president has already ruled out the prospect of his side signing the 21-year-old permanently, but several other European clubs are expected to battle for his signature this summer.

Arteta has refused to close the door on Balogun leaving the club at the end of the season, and his departure would open up a place for Hojlund to join the Premier League leaders.

Hojlund spent time in the youth systems of Brondby and FC Copenhagen, making 32 senior appearances for the latter before leaving the comforts of his homeland for Sturm Graz last January.

Atalanta paid €17.2m (£15.1m) to sign the Dane after his only half-season in Austria, but they are sure to demand a considerably higher sum to part ways with him this summer.