The permanent departure of striker Rasmus Hojlund from Manchester United to Napoli is now considered a mere 'formality', according to a senior club official from the Italian side.
Deal All But Sealed for Danish Forward
Napoli's sporting director, Giovanni Manna, has publicly stated that both the player and the club view the transfer as effectively complete. Hojlund, 22, joined the Serie A champions on a season-long loan last summer and has impressed, scoring seven goals in 19 appearances.
"We did everything we could to sign him," Manna told Corriere dello Sport. "There were more storied clubs interested, but his will was crucial, and we are proud of it. The player considers himself a Napoli player, and the same goes for us. This is extremely important."
Financial Details of the Transfer Agreement
The original loan deal includes an option for Napoli to buy Hojlund for €50 million (approximately £43.6m). This clause becomes an automatic obligation should the club secure qualification for the UEFA Champions League for next season.
However, Manna's comments suggest the move will proceed regardless. Reports from Italy indicate Napoli are already drafting the contract for Hojlund as a permanent player, which will reportedly include an €85 million (£74.2m) release clause. This clause is set to become active in the summer of 2027.
Conte's Praise and Hojlund's United Struggles
Napoli manager Antonio Conte has been effusive in his praise for the young Dane's development. "He is a player who is very young, he's still only 22 years old, and can improve a great deal," Conte said. "He has already progressed to become a dominant player in that role... and he has huge margin for further improvement."
This successful spell in Italy contrasts with Hojlund's mixed time at Old Trafford. Signed from Atalanta in 2023 for a significant fee, he managed 16 goals in his debut campaign and ten in his second, but only four of those strikes came in the Premier League last season, leading to his loan move.
When directly asked if the permanent transfer was now a formality, Manna's response was unequivocal: "As of today, I think so." This confirmation marks the likely end of Hojlund's Manchester United career after just two seasons, with Napoli securing a long-term asset for their forward line.
