One of Manchester United’s current squad could make their debut for a new club this weekend following a fresh transfer breakthrough.
Rasmus Højlund’s Manchester United career looks like it could be over, marking the end of a largely unproductive time for the 22-year-old.
He joined the club in 2023 for a fee of roughly £73 million from Serie A side Atalanta, with many comparing the striker to Manchester City’s recently signed star, Erling Haaland, who had won the Golden Boot the previous season.
These comparisons did the Dane no favours in the end, though, with the striker vastly underperforming, especially compared to Haaland, who went on to score 17 more goals than his Scandinavian counterpart.
Since his arrival, Højlund has failed to impress the United faithful, who are desperate for a ‘proper’ striker to come in and revive the team to their glory, fans will be hoping that the man to do that is recently signed Benjamin Šeško.
Regardless of whether the Slovenian is the man to do this, it’s bad news for Højlund, who has been left out of Ruben Amorim’s last three squads, prompting a move away.
Hojlund returning to Italy
As the Serie A is where he cut his teeth, it makes sense that there would be interest in him coming from that league.
In recent weeks, AC Milan have seemed to be the frontrunners in the race for Højlund’s signature, but it has recently emerged that the Dane may be moving elsewhere.
According to a report from United In Focus, Antonio Conte’s Napoli are seeming to be the most likely destination for the disillusioned striker, with former United player Romelu Lukaku sustaining an injury, meaning that last-season’s Scudetto winners are now without a striker.
United are no strangers to disenfranchised players of theirs turning their careers around at Napoli, with Scott McTominay doing just that, becoming a superstar and being up for the Ballon d’Or as a result.
Højlund will certainly be hoping that a similar turn of fate awaits him should this move go ahead.
‘Breakthrough’ reached with Napoli
According to United In Focus’ source, Graeme Bailey, a deal is remarkably close, with a breakthrough reached in talks for the player.
United and the player insisted on an obligation to buy, so that the player’s future could be settled. A compromise has been reached that ensures the option will turn into an obligation under easy conditions.
Bailey said: “Napoli have been progressing with their talks with Manchester United over Rasmus Højlund. The deal will include an option worth £40 million that can become an obligation if certain criteria is met – not the full obligation that United had initially insisted on.
“However, following talks, Napoli have reached a breakthrough, and a deal is now close, with Hojlund making it clear to United that he wants to join Napoli.
“Antonio Conte has spoken to Højlund about his prospective role in Naples. Milan revisited the deal after Victor Boniface’s move collapsed, but we are told that the Rossoneri were informed that Hojlund’s move to Napoli was in place and that he would not consider anyone else.
“Højlund’s move is very close now, and if all goes to plan, he will be a Napoli player within days and will be available to make his debut this weekend.”
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