Man Utd can seal summer transfer this weekend with £38m deal just hours away | Football | Sport

Rasmus Hojlund’s time as a Manchester United player could come to an end before the day is out, should Napoli secure their place in next season’s Champions League. United agreed a £38million conditional obligation for the Italian giants to purchase the Denmark international as part of the deal that took him to Naples on loan last summer.

The arrangement stipulates that the reigning Serie A champions must sign Hojlund permanently should they clinch a spot in UEFA’s premier club competition. Napoli currently occupy second place in the league and are guaranteed at least Europa League football next term. However, they could yet drop as low as sixth, with just five points separating them from Como.

Champions League qualification appeared all but certain following their victory over Milan in early April, which marked their fifth successive win. However, they have managed just one triumph in the five matches since, suffering home defeats to both Bologna and Lazio.

A trip to already-relegated Pisa awaits Napoli on Sunday evening. All clubs from second to sixth place kick off simultaneously this weekend.

Como host Parma, who drew 1-1 with the champions to spark this dip in form, Milan travel to Genoa, Roma take on Lazio in the Derby della Capitale, while Juventus welcome rivals Fiorentina.

Victory for Napoli would be sufficient to seal Champions League football. This is because they boast a superior head-to-head record over Roma. They claimed a 1-0 victory at the Stadio Olimpico in late November before playing out a 2-2 draw at home earlier this year.

Como would equally be unable to overhaul them, irrespective of their own result. Antonio Conte’s side would therefore finish no lower than fourth.

Hojlund’s departure is set to become United’s second summer transfer following Casemiro. The Brazil international has confirmed he will leave Old Trafford upon the expiry of his contract.

Much like his former colleague, the Dane is enjoying an impressive season, leading Napoli’s scoring charts with 14 goals across all competitions.

The club made their position on retaining Hojlund abundantly clear earlier this month when sporting director Giovanni Manna stated: “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.

“Let’s not forget that he’s the only striker we have in the squad, and he’s the only one playing, he should have had the chance to rest and come on during the match.

“He has a lot of energy and is a player with excellent qualities. He’s 23 years old and has significant room for improvement; you can’t say anything [bad] about him; he plays for the team.”