Napoli all set to make Rasmus Hojlund’s loan move permanent, with club sources say the obligation is only a formality.
Napoli say Rasmus Højlund’s permanent move from Manchester United a ‘formality’.
Giovanni Manna, the sporting director of Napoli, views Rasmus Højlund’s long-term move from Manchester United as a “formality.”
Højlund, a striker from Denmark, joined the Serie A winners on loan last summer and has since scored nine goals in 20 games, including a double in Sunday’s 2-0 victory over Cremonese. Napoli holds one of Italy’s four Champions League spots and is ranked third in Serie A.
“We did everything we could to sign him,” Manna told the Corriere dello Sport. “There were more storied clubs interested, but his will was crucial, and we are proud of it. There’s an option to buy and an obligation to buy if we qualify for the Champions League. The player considers himself a Napoli player, and the same goes for us. This is extremely important.”
Asked if Højlund’s permanent Napoli transfer was just a “formality,” Manna replied: “As of today, I think so.”
In August 2023, Højlund moved from Atalanta to United for £64 million with an additional £8 million in add-ons. The 22-year-old scored 14 goals in 62 Premier League games, and it is estimated that Højlund paid £38 million to join Napoli. Højlund’s replacement at Old Trafford, Benjamin Sesko, has had difficulty adjusting to the Premier League and has only scored twice since signing from RB Leipzig in a move valued at up to £73.7 million.
After a dismal performance in Tuesday’s 1-1 draw against Wolves, which their former captain Gary Neville called “the baddest of the bad,” United finishes 2025 in sixth position.