Rasmus Hojlund has been left out of both of Man United’s Premier League matchday squads this season.
Hojlund is set to leave United
Napoli are closing in on the loan signing of Rasmus Hojlund from Manchester United.
The Italian champions initially proposed only a loan move but United insisted that an obligation to buy also be inserted into the deal.
Hojlund, 22, previously generated interest from AC Milan but Napoli emerged as the frontrunners after Romelu Lukaku was ruled out for up to four months.
United required a £38.4m (€44.44m) fee to avoid a loss on Hojlund, whom they bought for £64m rising to £72m two years ago, under the Premier League’s profitability and sustainability rules. Due to Hojlund’s and United’s form last season, a permanent transfer always seemed unforeseeable.
The club were prepared to cut their losses for £30m but Napoli have struck a loan arrangement. Hojlund’s value will be £25.6m next year as he will have two years left on his United contract.
Napoli coach Antonio Conte has a penchant for recruiting players from the Premier League. When Conte was coach of Inter Milan between 2019-21, Lukaku, Alexis Sanchez, Ashley Young, Christian Eriksen and Victor Moses all arrived from English clubs.
United made Hojlund available for transfer following the signing of Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig in a £73.62million deal on August 9. The MEN reported in May that Hojlund had lost the confidence of senior figures at the club.
The MEN revealed earlier this month that sources close to Hojlund felt he would have to leave if United brought in a new centre forward.
Hojlund has been omitted from both of United’s Premier League squads against Arsenal and Fulham this season amid the anticipation that he will leave.
United head coach Ruben Amorim has not started Hojlund in any of their four games since the Denmark international outlined his intention to stay at the club.
Including their pre-season schedule, United have won only two of their last seven matches and both victories came with Hojlund in the starting XI.
Hojlund joined United from Atalanta in July 2023 and scored a creditable 16 goals in his first season but managed only ten strikes last term, with a meagre four coming in the Premier League. The Dane scored three goals in his final 35 appearances for United.