Watch more of our videos on ShotsTV.com
and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565
Visit Shots! now
‘First exploratory talks’ have reportedly begun as the United star could leave in the summer.
Manchester United went into the international break on a high after they beat Leicester City 3-0 at the King Power Stadium on Sunday.
It left the Red Devils 13th in the Premier League, and they remain to rely on the Europa League for their only piece of silverware this season under Ruben Amorim. They are through to the quarter-finals against Lyon.
Hide Ad
In their last game against Leicester, striker Rasmus Hojlund ended a 21-game goal drought in what has been a disappointing season for the former Atalanta striker.
Hojlund could see a summer exit
The Danish international signed for United for £62 million in August 2023, and has since struggled to find consistent form for the Red Devils. The striker has scored 24 goals in 82 appearances for United, and hasn’t yet been able to justify the hefty price tag that he commanded in 2023.
However, reports now have emerged that suggest he could leave Old Trafford in the summer, with interest from Serie A side Napoli, who are looking to sign a striker.
According to the Italian outlet Gazetta dello Sport, Hojlund is one of the top names on Antonio Conte’s shortlist for a summer signing. The report says that Hojlund ‘would gladly’ return to Italy, and that United would demand at least £51 million to avoid making a loss with regards to Profit and Sustainability Rules.
Hide Ad
It continues that the two parties have held ‘exploratory talks’ and that Conte considers Hojlund as a potential competitor to Romelu Lukaku next season, with it looking almost certain that Victor Osimhen will leave the club.
It doesn’t look like United will be willing to sell the 22-year-old unless they manage to sign a replacement in the summer, but they have been linked to several top strikers who could provide Amorim with that replacement.
United and Napoli could agree on Hojlund swap deal
Seeing as Napoli have reported interest in the Danish international, they might have to be clever to tempt United to sell Hojlund as the Red Devils believe that he has a lot of potential for the future.
United have been linked to signing Osimhen, who is contracted as a Napoli player, but on loan at Galatasaray this season after looking to force a move away from Napoli in the summer transfer window.
Hide Ad
Osimhen has scored 20 goals in 22 league matches for the Turkish side but will return to Italy in the summer, meaning that he will be available for a transfer.
The Nigeria international has a £62 million release clause, and he has been linked to several Premier League teams including United, Chelsea and Arsenal.
Osimhen has been tipped by his Nigeria teammate William Troost-Ekong to move to England. He said: “I know he’s a Chelsea fan, but I also know he’s had talks with all the top teams. It’s up to him what he chooses. He will fit into every team.
“When he went to Galatasaray I think it worked out amazingly for him. I couldn’t see him playing there for another season, or anywhere else but the Premier League next season.”
In other news, Wayne Rooney has offered a fresh verdict on Manchester United defender Ayden Heaven.