Rasmus Højlund has been in constant contact with Napoli surrounding a permanent move away from Manchester United this summer.
Rasmus Højlund’s future at Manchester United is looking doubtful after the club completed the signing of Benjamin Šeško from RB Leipzig.
Since arriving at Old Trafford, Højlund has failed to consistently deliver, scoring 26 goals in 95 appearances under Erik ten Hag, Ruud van Nistelrooy, and Rúben Amorim.
Despite periods of impressive form, his frequent dry spells in front of goal have convinced Amorim to bring in a striker of the same age but with greater top-level experience.
United paid £72 million to sign the Dane in 2023, but with his performances falling short of expectations, the club are now considering moving him on this summer.
Højlund sends strong message to Napoli
With Højlund now likely leaving United after he was left out of the squad that lost 1-0 against Arsenal on Sunday afternoon, he has recently been linked with a host of Italian clubs. AC Milan and Atalanta have both held talks with the Dane, but it seems Scott McTominay’s Napoli are the club pushing the most.
While AC Milan were willing to offer a loan fee of £5 million with the option to sign him for around £40 million next summer, Højlund has told all his suitors, namely Napoli, that he would prefer his move to be an obligation to buy – a transfer solution United agree with.
“For Højlund, now the preference of the player is for a loan with obligation to buy, so a permanent move,” transfer expert Fabrizio Romano explained on his YouTube channel.
“Many people can say why he wanted to go, he wanted to stay at Manchester United. Why he wants to go now on loan with obligation and not on the option? Because Højlund wants to feel the confidence in his new club.
“He doesn’t want to go alone and then back to Man United, just spending a few months out and then return to the club, find a new club. Højlund wants to feel full confidence. This is the message from Rasmus Højlund to Napoli.
“Napoli are interested in Rasmus Højlund, but the message from the player is that he wants to move on loan with an obligation. He prefers an obligation to buy.
“Man United also prefer that solution, so let’s see what happens there. But Rasmus Højlund is going to be one of the names to watch in these final days of the summer transfer window for Napoli.”
Napoli willing to agree to Højlund’s demands
Amid Højlund’s openness to join Napoli if they agree to an obligation to buy this summer, the Serie A side are willing to agree to his demands to secure the move.
According to Italian transfer specialist Gianluca Di Marzio, Napoli are in constant contact with Højlund, and he is their top priority option following an injury to their first-choice striker, Romelu Lukaku.
Although they have not yet proposed a loan with an obligation to buy, Napoli are said to be willing to do so to secure who Antonio Conte sees as his No. 1 choice to bolster his attacking line after winning the league last season.
With the English transfer window set to shut on 1 September, United will want ot make sure this transfer goes through with time to spare so they have cash to bring in a potential new midfielder.
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