Hojlund, Ferguson & Ramos: Meet Europe’s budding striking starlets that are attractive heavyweight interest this summer

While striking superstars such as Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappe have been at the heart of real speculation this summer, many of Europe’s budding number nines have also attracted some heavyweight interest.

With many expecting what looks set to be a record-breaking summer transfer window from across Europe’s elite, the likes of Manchester United, Real Madrid and Chelsea all have a new striking icon at the top of their wishlist.

Watching many of Europe’s hottest young marksman burst onto the scene during the 2022/23 campaign, the new crop of striking stars have continued to make a major statement.

Ahead of what looks set to be a merry-go-round of number nines this summer, we have taken a look at three budding attackers who are attracting major interest.

Rasmus Hojlund – Atalanta

With Manchester United reportedly accepting that they will be unable to lure Kane away from Tottenham this summer, it appears that the Premier League giants have now firmly turned their attention to one of Serie A’s hottest young prospects.

Notching 10 Serie A strikes last season and playing a crucial role as Atalanta secured a European return, it is no secret that Rasmus Hojlund has a string of heavyweight suits this summer.

Along with bursting onto the international stage after notching six goals for Denmark in just his first four EURO qualifying appearances, the Danish sensation is attracting interest from the likes of PSG, Napoli and Juventus.

However, with growing comparisons to a certain Erling Haaland, it is Manchester United who find themselves priced at 6/5 with 1xBet to snap up Atalanta’s budding superstar.

Although La Dea might have made it clear that they will move mountains in their bid to keep Hojlund in Bergamo, 90min are suggesting that Atalanta have already started to prepare for life after the 20-year-old.

Opening talks with Almeria over a summer swoop for striker El Bilal Toure, many around the Gewiss Stadium have accepted that Hojlund will be on the move before the window slams shut.

Evan Ferguson – Brighton

While the likes of Alexis Mac Allister and Moises Caicedo might have been the poster boys of Brighton’s famous Premier League romp last season, it was Even Ferguson who rightfully received a ton of plaudits after returning from the World Cup’s winter break.

Quickly cementing his spot as Roberto De Zerbi’s number-one striking option, the 18-year-old notched six top-flight strikes last season as Brighton secured a maiden European ticket.

With the Seagulls only continuing to gain a host of praise for their attacking approach under the one-time Sassuolo boss, Fabrizio Romano reported back in April that both Chelsea and Manchester United are keeping tabs on Ferguson.

Although all of the Premier League’s elite might have registered their own interest in Ferguson, Brighton remain confident that their homegrown talisman will be staying put on the south coast ahead of the 2023/24 campaign.

Putting pen to paper on a bumper new deal at the Amex back in April that runs until the summer of 2028, the six-cap international is priced at 4/6 with BetUS to still be a Seagull when the window slams shut on September 1st.

Goncalo Ramos – Benfica

While five-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo might have stolen most of Portugal’s World Cup headlines over the winter, Goncalo Ramos also wrote his own piece of history out in Qatar.

Along with notching a World Cup hat-trick against Switzerland on December 6th, the Benfica ace also recorded 27 goals in his 47 domestic appearances across all competitions last season.

Although the 21-year-old might have a €120million release clause inserted in his current deal with the Portuguese heavyweights, it is believed that Benfica would be tempted into accepting an offer in the region of £80million.

While the likes of Newcastle might have been linked with a potential move for the seven-cap international, it appears to be German giants Bayern Munich who sit in pole position.

Although Thomas Tuchel’s men might still remain linked with a move for England skipper Kane, Bayern find themselves priced at 9/2 with Olympusbet to snap up Ramos’ signature this summer.