After being heavily linked with a move to AC Milan for the best part of the month, Rasmus Hojlund now looks to be leaning towards the Serie A champions.
You can’t really blame him, either, as Milan’s lacklustre campaign in 2024/2025 culminated with them failing to secure European football for their forthcoming season. Napoli, meanwhile, oversaw a triumphant term before securing their second Scudetto in three years.
When Benjamin Sesko’s arrival at Old Trafford prompted INEOS to begin planning for Hojlund’s departure, Napoli were thought to have expressed tentative interest, but didn’t go as far as Milan by making a formal approach.
Then, after learning that first-choice frontman Romelu Lukaku would be sidelined for around three months through injury, they stepped up their efforts to sanction a forward’s arrival, with the Danish Red atop Antonio Conte’s shortlist.
Rasmus Hojlund to Napoli: The state of play
Fabrizio Romano confirmed on Wednesday evening that there had been ‘new contact today’ between United and Napoli, whilst Hojlund’s representatives are also involved in the talks, having made it clear that the player is open to the transfer.
‘Negotiations [are] ongoing’, according to Romano, with Hojlund seeking ‘guarantees’ that he will stay at the club long-term — as opposed to a stop-gap loan spell.
Hojlund’s United tenure draws to a premature end
Assuming he does indeed join Conte’s ranks in the coming days, the 22-year-old will bid farewell to the Reds after just two years in M16.
Whilst he is young enough to still make a name for himself at a top European side, it’s clear why INEOS were looking to part ways upon Sesko’s signing; Hojlund has notched only 14 Premier League goals in 62 appearances. For a £72 million investment, it’s nowhere near the level required to represent the 20-time champions.
Every day all our fans wait to hear if a new midfielder and goalkeeper is nearer to arrive, but nothing so far. We desperately need to upgrade these 2 positions before deadline day. We have done fantastic to sign the front 3 players, but it could be in vain unless we sign a mobile midfielder and a goalkeeper.
Come on United.
Good to know
The two bricks of a goal keeper and a mobile midfielder needed to complete the building are lacking right now in the united squad. United, the clock is ticking act fast. The fans are desperate to hear this announcement sooner than later.