Everton have reportedly joined a number of top European clubs in sending scouts to watch Danish forward Rasmus Hojlund.
What’s the latest on Everton’s interest in Rasmus Hojlund?
As per 90min, Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United all had scouts attend the striker’s Denmark debut against Finland, whereas the Toffees, West Ham United, Leicester City, Crystal Palace and even Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich have all watched him in recent months.
The cluster of clubs also faces competition from Juventus and Napoli, who have been alerted due to the 20-year-old’s immense form in the Serie A.
Everton may struggle to compete against the financial backing of the other European sides – particularly due to the financial fair play (FFP) regulations that they may have breached.
How would Hojlund fulfil Everton’s striker search?
The Merseyside club’s hunt for a natural goalscorer has left them dry this season. Despite signing Neal Maupay from Brighton and Hove Albion for an undisclosed fee, he has yet to live up to the hopes of Everton’s fans and has just one goal in 20 Premier League appearances this season.
New manager Sean Dyche has experimented with Demarai Gray and Ellis Simms leading the attack and, while there has been some improvement, it is clear to see that the Toffees lack an outlet.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s injury-sustained period has meant that he has made just 11 Premier League appearances this season – something which has been a huge blow for the relegation-threatened side.
Hojlund, who has been compared to Erling Haaland by manager Gian Piero Gasperini, would provide Everton with that natural finisher that they so desperately need.
The young striker, who could command as much as €45m (£39m), according to some reports – has an average match rating of 6.68, via WhoScored, and has scored seven goals in 14 starts in the Serie A. This shows the clinical nature of the forward, who has outperformed his expected goals by 0.2 this campaign, via FBref.
The Orobici starlet – who The Athletic’s Alex Barker has hailed as the “perfect, all-round striker” – would be an immense statement signing for the Merseyside club, who currently sit just above the relegation zone. As per FBref, the 20-year-old is similar to some of the current greats, as he has been compared in style to Harry Kane and Cristiano Ronaldo.
The 6 foot 3 “serious baller” – in the words of U23 scout Antonio Mango – would reduce the Toffees’ striker problems if he does make the switch to Merseyside this coming season. It will be a difficult transfer for Dyche’s side to pull off given the competition from some of Europe’s top sides, but the rewards would reap almost immediately.