Debut hat-trick ignites Newcastle United and Arsenal interest in £35m striker

Rasmus Højlund gave a major sign of his undoubted promise as the reported Newcastle United and Everton target put in an eye-catching display in only his third appearance in international football on Thursday night.

The 20-year-old frontman broke into the senior setup at FC Copenhagen in 2020 before earning a £1m move to Austrian club Sturm Graz during the January 2022 transfer window. A return of 12 goals in just 21 games ensured his stay at the Merkur Arena would be relatively short as Serie A side Atalanta secured Højlund in a £15m move last August.

The striker found the net in only his second Serie A appearance with a goal in a 2-0 win at Monza and he has gone on to score eight goals and provide two assists in 25 appearances in all competitions for Gian Piero Gasperini’s side. His form led to a maiden call-up to the Denmark senior squad and he made two substitute appearances in UEFA Nations League meetings with Croatia and France earlier this season.

However, Højlund announced his arrival on the international scene on Thursday night when he plundered his way to a devastating hat-trick as Denmark claimed a 3-1 home win in a Euro 2024 qualifier against Finland. His performance received widespread praise in the Danish media, with news outlet BT saying: “It looks like Denmark has got the answer they’ve been looking for for so terribly long. He looks like the new dangerous number nine in the Danish national team! What a game from the giant talent who has taken Serie A by storm – and now he has taken Parken in the same way.”

His performance has heightened speculation Højlund could leave Atalanta this summer, with Tutto Atalanta suggesting he has ‘ attracted the attention of half of Europe’ and confirming Newcastle, Arsenal and Everton are all monitoring his performances in Serie A and international level. Perhaps more significantly given Newcastle’s reported interest in Victor Osimhen, Napoli are reportedly considering a move for Højlund should their in-demand striker leave during the summer transfer window.