Manchester United concentrated all their efforts on refurbishing their attack over the summer.
After a dismal campaign where they ended 15th in the Premier League, changes were in order, and the frontline was identified as the area that needed urgent attention.
Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo were brought in to add proven Premier League expertise to Ruben Amorim’s squad.
The Portuguese head coach also wanted a new No. 9 following Rasmus Hojlund’s struggles last campaign. INEOS spent a fortune on Benjamin Sesko, who arrived at Old Trafford from RB Leipzig in a reported €76.5m deal, excluding add-ons.
The Slovenian’s arrival raised question marks about Hojlund’s continuity at the Theatre of Dreams.
The Danish striker eventually left the Red Devils to move to Napoli on a season-long loan.
Hojlund has endured a mixed start to life in Serie A
Napoli reportedly paid a loan fee of £5.2m for his signature, while there’s an obligation to buy in the deal for £38m. The option will come into effect if the reigning Italian champions can secure a place in next season’s Champions League, which looks quite likely.
United also have a 5% sell-on clause in the deal, so they could benefit from his future sale as well.
The 22 year old enjoyed a blistering start to life with the Partenopei, scoring in his debut last weekend. However, he failed to have an impact against Manchester City in midweek in the Champions League.
United reportedly told Hojlund that he is no longer part of their plans after the defeat to Grimsby Town last month.
And acclaimed journalist Fabrizio Romano has now provided a fresh update on the young striker’s future.
Hojlund is expected to leave permanently
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Romano said: “Hojlund started immediately very well, starting for Napoli against Fiorentina (and scoring), being already an important player for Antonio Conte in the Champions League.”
“So for sure Rasmus Hojlund is an important part of the Napoli project. The feeling they have internally at Man Utd is that the [conditional] obligation to buy for Rasmus Hojlund will be triggered.
“He’s playing, he’s an important player for Napoli and also because the plan of Napoli is to have Hojlund as a crucial part of the project, not just for this season but also the future.”
Romano went on to add that United are convinced that the purchase obligation will come into effect at the end of this season and that the club consider Hojlund’s sale “almost guaranteed.”
Featured image Gabriele Maltinti via Getty Images
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Deepungsu Pandit
Deepungsu has been a Manchester United fan since 2000. In his playing days, he was an attacking midfielder with a proclivity for the back heel. Right now, however, he prefers to operate as a regista. Deepungsu has been writing about the Red Devils, Football, and other things since 2009. His favourite Manchester United player is Paul Scholes.
