Newcastle United wanted Rasmus Hojlund but he joined Atalanta instead – and is now earning real praise over in Italy.
The Magpies were seemingly in the market for a very specific type of forward over the summer.
With two experienced Premier League strikers in Chris Wood and Callum Wilson already at the club, Newcastle wanted a talent for the future.
Benjamin Sesko and Joao Pedro were two of the names linked before Newcastle pounced with a big-money deal for Alexander Isak.
Other names were in the mix though and one of them was Hojlund…
Newcastle United wanted Rasmus Hojlund
The Athletic reported in August that Newcastle were eyeing up a move for Hojlund.
Having been looking at Red Bull Salzburg attacker Sesko, Newcastle then looked at another Austria-based hitman in Hojlund.
The Dane only joined Sturm Graz in January of this year, leaving Copenhagen back in his homeland.
Hojlund immediately showed huge potential, finishing last season with six goals in 13 games for Sturm Graz.
Hojlund then started this season with six goals in eight games, once again underlining his huge potential.
Newcastle ended up signing another Scandinavian in Isak, but Hojlund still land a big move of his own.
Atalanta pounced to sign Hojlund in a deal worth around €17million (£14.5million), giving Sturm Graz an enormous profit in just a matter of months.
Newcastle may well keep tabs on Hojlund and his immediate impact in Italy appears to have been positive.
Hojlund scored the opener for Atalanta against Monza on Monday night, with Tuttomercatoweb branding him ‘a mighty striker’.
TMW gave Hojlund a 7/10 for his performance and believe he was impressive after a quiet first-half display.
It looks like the Dane is on course for stardom, and whilst Newcastle will be very happy with Isak, maybe Hojlund is one for them to try and sign in the future if he shines with Atalanta.
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