Atalanta BC manager Gian Piero Gasperini has admitted that the Serie A side would find it "impossible" to reject a big-money offer for star striker Rasmus Hojlund amid reported interest from the likes of Manchester United and Arsenal.
The 20-year-old has enjoyed an impressive debut campaign with the Italian outfit since joining from Sturm Graz for around £15m last summer, scoring eight goals and providing three assists in 29 games across all competitions.
Hojlund has also made a bright start to life on the international stage, scoring five goals in just four matches for Denmark, including a hat-trick in a Euro 2024 qualifier victory over Finland last month.
The striker's form for club and country is said to have caught the eye of a number of top European clubs, including Premier League duo Man United and Arsenal.
Both English giants are believed to be in the market for attacking reinforcements ahead of the 2023-24 season, with the Red Devils in particular prioritising the addition of a new centre-forward.
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Bayern Munich have also been credited with an interest as they continue their search to replace Roberto Lewandowski, while Real Madrid are also keepings tabs on the youngster.
Atalanta are under no immediate pressure to cash in on Hojlund, who is under contract at the Gewiss Stadium until the summer of 2027.
However, manager Gasperini has suggested that La Dea would struggle to keep hold of the Danish striker if they receive a "huge" bid this summer.
Speaking to reporters as quoted by the Manchester Evening News, Gasperini said: "I haven't seen so many strikers as good as Hojlund at 20. He can improve a lot, he's great.
"Top European clubs are always attentive to this kind of top talents. There could be some huge bids for him that would be impossible to reject for us."
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A recent report claims that Atalanta are prepared to entertain offers in the region of €70m (£62m) for Hojlund, roughly four times the amount that they paid to sign him less than 12 months ago.
Hojlund began his career with boyhood club Copenhagen, making his professional debut in 2020 before going on to score five goals in 32 first-team appearances.
The striker then decided to join Austrian Bundesliga side Sturm Graz in January last year, and scored 12 goals in 21 games during a six-month spell before signing for Atalanta.
Man United could step up their interest in Hojlund after suffering a blow in their pursuit of Evan Ferguson, who has penned a new long-term contract with Brighton & Hove Albion.
Oliver Thomas
