Fabrizio Romano via YouTube.
Napoli are closing in on a deal to sign Rasmus Hojlund from Manchester United.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Napoli had ‘positive’ conversations with the Dane on Friday, with the two parties now ‘advancing in talks’ to get the transfer over the line as swiftly as possible.
Hojlund wanted assurances that he’d be playing a prominent role long-term, having been targeted to fill in for the sidelined Romelu Lukaku, who’s expected to miss the first few months of the campaign with an injury.
It seems as though he has been made such promises over his prospective minutes, as he has green-lit the deal and is prioritising a move to the Naples outfit over his other suitors, such as AC Milan.
Rasmus Hojlund: The state of play this transfer window
The Serie A champions will likely welcome Hojlund on an initial loan basis before signing him permanently next summer.
It’s thought United value their No.9 in the region of £40 million; only two years ago, they forked out £64m whilst pledging a further £8m in add-ons to sign him from Atalanta.
Across his two seasons at Old Trafford, the 22-year-old has recorded only 14 Premier League goals in 62 appearances, making it no surprise INEOS are ready to cut ties sooner rather than later when his value may have dropped even further.
Who else is likely to leave United?
Elsewhere in M16, United are desperately trying to facilitate the departures of outcast Reds Antony, Alejandro Garnacho, Tyrell Malacia and Jadon Sancho.
Of the quartet, Garnacho is the closest to leaving. He has been locked in talks with Chelsea for some time now and has even rebuffed proposals from the likes of Bayern Munich, as he only has eyes for the Blues this summer.
