Real Madrid News
Real Madrid very interested in 20-year-old Arsenal striker target – report
According to reports from Italian publication La Repubblica (h/t Mundo Deportivo), Real Madrid have shown an interest in Atalanta BC striker Rasmus Hojlund.
The 20-year-old Dane joined the Serie A outfit in the summer window last year, arriving from Sturm Graz and has made a fine impact for La Dea.
So far in his time with Atalanta, Hojlund has played 21 times across all competitions, scoring seven goals and setting up two more.
And the young Dane’s performances have not gone unnoticed, with Real Madrid and Arsenal among the clubs taking note of his potential.
Los Blancos did not sign a new striker last summer despite parting ways with Borja Mayoral and Luka Jovic, leaving them short in the centre-forward department, given that Mariano Diaz is not favoured by manager Carlo Ancelotti.
The injuries to Karim Benzema created problems for the Merengues, but they opted not to sign a backup for their captain in the winter window either.
However, heading into the 2023/24 campaign, there is a plan to bring in a backup striker for Benzema in the summer.
And, Hojlund has appeared as a target for the reigning champions of Spain and England, with the report suggesting that they have scouted the young striker this season.
It is also being claimed that Real Madrid could already be working on an offer for the young Danish forward whose contract with Atalanta runs until the summer of 2027.
However, Los Blancos will have to face competition from Arsenal, who are also interested in the 20-year-old and have scouted him as well.
Hojlund has demonstrated great potential in his short career so far and can be a good backup for Benzema, before going into the role of the first-choice forward gradually. Whether Los Blancos make a concrete attempt to sign him in the summer will be interesting to see.
According to AS, Atletico Madrid have made the first approach for Celta Vigo midfielder Gabri Veiga, who has also been linked heavily with a move to Real Madrid and Arsenal.
The 20-year-old midfielder has emerged as one of the most exciting young prospects in Spanish football this season, having already netted nine goals in La Liga.
It has alerted a series of top-level clubs, with the likes of Real Madrid, Arsenal, Liverpool and Atletico Madrid all being linked with the youngster, who has a €40 million release clause in his contract with Celta.
Real Madrid are in the market for midfield reinforcements and have identified Jude Bellingham as their top target, but Veiga is also said to be on the agenda at the Santiago Bernabeu
However, recently, the Galician club’s president confirmed that there had been contact from clubs in England, but stated that Real Madrid had made no approach.
On top of that, a report from MARCA quoted a club source saying that they were not contemplating signing the 20-year-old.
Amidst this, it has now emerged that Atletico Madrid have made an approach towards signing Veiga from Celta Vigo in the summer transfer window.
The Rojiblancos are also in the market for new midfielders amid question marks over the futures of Saul Niguez and Geoffrey Kondogbia.
While Diego Simeone’s side have taken a first step, the report indicates that Veiga, in case of the absence of interest from Real Madrid, would prefer to join Arsenal.
So, the Colchoneros will need to put in efforts to convince the 20-year-old to choose them over a move to the Premier League club come summer if they are serious about adding the talented youngster to their roster for next season.
