Napoli are reportedly ready to launch a pursuit of Rasmus Hojlund but will only “pay a fraction” of the exorbitant price Manchester United forked out for the Danish striker two years.
Hojlund, 22, is in the midst of a dismal sophomore season at Old Trafford after a relatively promising debut campaign following his blockbuster move from Serie A side Atalanta in 2023.
The Red Devils eventually reached a deal with the Italian club worth a total of £72 million (£64m up front plus £8m in add-ons) after weeks of negotiations.
Hojlund was thrust into the starting berth in the United first-team due to the constant unavailability of Anthony Martial, who left Old Trafford on a free transfer in the summer. And the dynamic Dane returned a quietly impressive 16 goals in all competitions, despite his relative inexperience and the poorly performing team he joined at the Theatre of Dreams.
However, Hojlund’s performances have completely nosedived this season with the 22-year-old striker looking a shadow of himself last season.
Two goals in 21 Premier League games are a damning indictment on a United centre-forward but it’s Hojlund’s general play which has been the biggest source of concern.
The Dane’s link-up play and decision-making have been utterly woeful in recent months with Ruben Amorim’s coaching staff reportedly “losing patience” in the number nine.
United will almost certainly target a new striker this summer in a bid to add more goals to a team desperately short on them. And the club will consider approaches for Hojlund, should they materialise, to help fund this.
In Italy, the Danish international’s reputation remains strong after impressing at Atalanta.
A report by talkSPORT reveals Napoli are one interested suitor with Antonio Conte’s side “ready to take Rasmus Hojlund off Manchester United’s hands”.
However, the Serie A side would only be willing to offer a drastically cheaper fee than the £72 million the Reds paid in the first place with talkSPORT contending INEOS must “take a financial hit on the flop forward” to seal an exit to Naples.
“Despite his struggles in the Premier League, Hojlund’s stock in Italy remains high from his time at previous club Atalanta. However, Napoli would only be willing to pay a fraction of the £72million United paid for Hojlund on the insistence of Erik ten Hag.”
One potential option to upgrade Hojlund is Napoli striker Victor Osimhen, currently on loan at Galatasaray. United have been widely linked with a move for the Nigerian international with a release clause of around £65 million set to kick in this summer,
One option to mitigate this outlay could be a potential swap deal between Napoli and United, with the Italian side interested in both Hojlund and teammate Alejandro Garnacho. However, talkSPORT reveals sources close to the club consider this potential option “complicated”, suggesting it is unlikely.
Feature image Michael Regan via Getty Images
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Darragh Fox
Darragh is a writer for The Peoples Person who spent three years as a history graduate slowly realising football was by far the most interesting thing to write about.
