Man Utd’s first summer transfer deal announced as club breaks silence | Football | Sport
Napoli have announced they will sign Manchester United castoff Rasmus Hojlund on a permanent basis this summer, with the Italian champions set to trigger the £38million release clause in the striker’s contract. It is understood the Danish international has already put pen to paper on a new and improved long-term deal with Napoli. Hojlund joined the club on a season-long loan arrangement last summer after failing to make his mark at United.
The 23-year-old arrived at United from Atalanta for £76m in 2023, but went on to become one of the club’s costliest disappointments. He managed just 26 goals in 95 appearances across all competitions before United opted to cut their losses on the forward and allow him to seek pastures new.
However, since linking up with Napoli, Hojlund has flourished, netting 11 times in 30 Serie A outings for Antonio Conte’s side. Napoli must secure Champions League qualification in order to sign Hojlund at the agreed price.
Yet despite Napoli sitting second behind Inter Milan, sporting director Giovanni Manna has insisted his club will acquire Hojlund regardless. He said: “There are no doubts. Rasmus will stay here.
“We have an obligation to buy from Manchester United, in case of Champions League access, but he is in our plans regardless of this condition.”
United legend Peter Schmeichel believes his former club are making a grave error in allowing Hojlund to depart. Schmeichel said on The Good, The Bad and The Football podcast: “A bit of a shame because I like Hojlund by the way and think he could have been absolutely fantastic. But I don’t think he wants to come back.”
Schmeichel’s former team-mate Nicky Butt echoed those concerns, adding: “What they did with Hojlund was wrong because they brought a young boy in who’s not got any Premier League experience and asked him to carry Manchester United.
“I’m scared they’re going to do that with (Benjamin) Sesko. I know Sesko has done really well of late but they still need to get another centre forward, we had four top players in that position.”
