Rasmus Hojlund failed to live up to expectations at Manchester United and has enjoyed his loan spell at Napoli thus far
Rasmus Hojlund of Napoli celebrates his goal during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD2 match between SSC Napoli and Sporting Club de Portugal
Rasmus Hojlund is currently on loan with Napoli from Manchester United(Image: Getty)
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Manchester United striker Rasmus Hojlund appears primed to join Napoli permanently in the summer after spending this season there on loan. And the Italian club will reportedly insert a hefty release clause into his prospective new contract.
United shelled out a total of £72million when they purchased Hojlund from Atalanta in 2023. He had just produced a 10-goal campaign in Italy and hopes were high he could develop into a prolific marksman.
However, things simply didn't work out at Old Trafford. Over two seasons, Hojlund managed only 14 Premier League goals and quickly fell out of favour when Ruben Amorim took over from Erik ten Hag. With Benjamin Sesko brought into the club last summer for £73m, he departed for Naples.
There, the 23-year-old has turned over a new leaf and has 12 goals to his name so far this campaign, more than he managed the entirety of last term. Napoli have a specific obligation to buy Hojlund at this season and the Dane was sent a telling message before he left United.
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Buy-out clause and £38m obligation
Inserted into Hojlund's loan move is a £38m obligation to buy the striker that is triggered should Napoli qualify for next season's Champions League. They sit third in the Serie A table with 12 games remaining.
Rasmus Hojlund celebrates his goal during the Serie A match between Genoa CFC and SSC Napoli
Hojlund has impressed with his performances for Napoli(Image: Getty)
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Reports also suggest that even if Antonio Conte's side miss out on qualifying for the competition, they would endeavour to purchase Hojlund and have an option to do so.
It seems to be a case of when rather than if Hojlund leaves United for good this summer and Napoli have even supposedly crafted a plan for the striker's anticipated contract.
According to the Daily Mail, the club will insert a £74.3m buy-out clause in Hojlund's deal and consider his signing a formality. Sporting director Giovanni Manna reportedly sees no reason why the permanent transfer will not happen in the next window.
Manchester United message
Before he bid goodbye to Old Trafford, Hojlund admits United made it abundantly obvious why an exit was on the cards with their parting message.
Rasmus Hojlund of Manchester United reacts during the Premier League match between Manchester United FC and Aston Villa FC at Old Trafford
United reportedly made it clear to Hojlund he wasn't part of their plans(Image: Getty)
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He told Sports Illustrated: "United made it quite clear for me that I wasn't part of the plans for this year coming into the season and with no European football and that sort of thing.
"I'm young, I have to play football and for that reason, I think this was also a good opportunity for me. Napoli saw an opportunity to go and get me and as soon as I heard the interest from them, I made it quite obvious for my camp and for the people around that I only wanted to go there."
On his first interactions with manager Conte, Hojlund added: "It was a quite short conversation. But a very, very good one. I think we were both quite clear that it was a good step for me. I think we [are] suited, it was a good match.
"I think he's an incredible coach. I've only seen him do good things almost everywhere he's been so obviously that was a big part of it. When he calls you, you just have to say yes."