Manchester United star Rasmus Hojlund joined Serie A side Napoli on loan in the summer and it appears that the forward has no intention of returning to Old Trafford any time soon
Rasmus Hojlund
Hojlund is in brilliant form for Napoli(Image: Getty Images)
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Rasmus Hojlund has all but confirmed there is no way back for him at Manchester United after referencing his future plans in Italy. The Danish striker left Old Trafford in the summer as he joined Serie A side Napoli on a season-long loan.
The reigning Italian champions paid a €6m (£5.2m) loan fee, while there is an option to sign Hojlund permanently for €44m (£38.4m). That clause will become an obligation should Antonio Conte’s side seal a spot in the Champions League. And it appears that Hojlund is already taking the stance that he is a permanent Napoli player.
Speaking to DAZN after scoring twice in a 2-1 win against Juventus at the weekend, the striker promised: “Next season, I’ll give my interviews in Italian.”
Hojlund, 22, joined Man United from Serie A side Atalanta in 2023 for £64million. He netted 16 goals in his debut campaign but scored only ten goals in the following season before being allowed to join Napoli.
And he is already some way to surpassing that, having netted six times for Napoli this season in all competitions. Speaking about his recent form, Hojlund added: “Sometimes as a striker you don’t score and I try to help the team in different sorts of ways.
“I know how important it is for the manager to hold up the ball, to put the game a little bit higher, also work hard on the pressing and keep the team compact. I scored two goals tonight, but it’s all down to my teammates, the manager and his staff.”
After scoring, Hojlund celebrated with members of Conte’s coaching staff and claimed that their instructions on the training ground had led to his two-goal haul.
Rasmus Hojlund
Napoli have an option to buy Hojlund permanently
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He added: “Gianluca and the staff talked a lot about my movement in the box. I’ve been going a lot to the back post, but they said there’s space in the front. I attacked the front more and it worked, so I’m happy.”
Meanwhile, Napoli captain Giovanni Di Lorenzo was full of praise for Hojlund as he continues to impress in Italy. He said: “It is certainly pleasing, we had another really good intense performance tonight with a high tempo, playing open football.
“These are our characteristics, we’re happy, and I am pleased for Rasmus. He scored twice today, but he always helps us out every game. In difficult moments, we gave a strong response, that’s the sign of a great team spirit.”
Hojlund will be aiming to extend his positive form this weekend as Napoli travel to Benfica in the Champions League ahead of a clash with Udinese on Sunday afternoon.
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