Napoli’s qualification for the UCL brings new signing — Rasmus Hojlund

Rasmus Hojlund has now officially completed a permanent transfer from Manchester United to Napoli. The Danish striker, who had initially joined the Italian side on loan, has seen a previously agreed obligation to buy activated after Napoli secured qualification for the Champions League. The deal is worth €44 million, which will be paid to the English club.

The information comes from The Athletic. For Manchester United, the move represents a substantial financial hit, considering Hojlund was signed from Atalanta in 2023 for close to €80 million. Still, the club will likely view the exit as an attempt to cut their losses. The forward never fully settled in the Premier League and was quickly labeled a disappointment relative to his price tag. Across 95 appearances for the “Red Devils,” he scored 26 goals.

Since returning to Serie A — the league where he first made his name with Atalanta — his output has improved only modestly, with 15 goals in 43 matches. Even so, the striker has appeared more comfortable in Italy than in England and seems relieved to have moved away from the pressures of Manchester.

After joining Napoli on loan last summer, he said: “This move is exactly what I wanted. I’ve arrived at a club that believes in me… a sporting director, a president, and a coach who all wanted me here.”

He will now continue his career in Naples on a permanent basis. While he has faced some criticism from sections of the fanbase, Napoli coach Antonio Conte recently came to his defense after the match against Bologna, saying: “We must remember he is our only true striker; he plays every game. Ideally, he should have been given more rest and introduced gradually during matches. He has tremendous energy (…) he has great qualities, he’s only 23, and still has huge potential. There’s nothing negative to say about him.”

Hojlund responded in the best possible way, following that vote of confidence with a goal and an assist in the very next match.