Confirmed: Napoli to Seal Permanent Højlund Transfer as Man Utd Face Major Loss

Napoli sporting director Giovanni Manna has confirmed the club will sign Rasmus Højlund permanently. The Manchester United loanee’s move is now just a “formality.” This ends the striker’s turbulent stint in English football.

The confirmation came after Napoli’s Supercoppa Italiana victory. Manna stated the deal includes an obligation to buy if Napoli qualify for the Champions League.

Højlund’s Italian Revival Seals United’s Exit Blunder

Højlund joined Napoli on a season-long loan last summer. He has since scored nine goals for the Serie A champions. His form convinced Napoli to trigger the permanent option.

According to reports from Corriere dello Sport, the fee is set at just £38 million. Manchester United originally paid Atalanta £64 million for him in 2023. This represents a significant financial loss for the Premier League club.

The transfer underscores United’s recent recruitment struggles. The club moved on to sign Benjamin Šeško from RB Leipzig last summer. Šeško has managed only two goals so far this season.

A Chapter Closed for Player and Club

For Højlund, the move represents a fresh start. He told Sports Illustrated he felt he performed well at United but welcomed the change. His social media post with the Supercoppa trophy hinted at his satisfaction with the move.

For Manchester United, it marks another expensive mistake in the transfer market. The focus now shifts to making the Šeško project work. The club’s strategy for rebuilding its attack remains under scrutiny.

Napoli’s expected capture of Rasmus Højlund on a permanent transfer concludes a disappointing chapter for Manchester United. The financial loss on the deal highlights ongoing challenges at Old Trafford.

Thought you’d like to know

Q1: Is Rasmus Højlund definitely leaving Manchester United?

Yes. Napoli’s sporting director has confirmed the permanent transfer is a formality. The deal will be finalized at the end of the current loan spell.

Q2: How much will Napoli pay for Højlund?

Napoli are expected to pay around £38 million. This is significantly less than the £64 million Manchester United paid to sign him from Atalanta in 2023.

Q3: How has Højlund performed at Napoli?

He has scored nine goals and won the Supercoppa Italiana. His form in Serie A has been strong, justifying Napoli’s decision to make the move permanent.

Q4: Why are Manchester United selling him?

United restructured their attack last summer, bringing in Benjamin Šeško. Højlund’s loan move was part of that reshuffle, and his performances in Italy have convinced Napoli to buy him.

Q5: What did Højlund say about his time at United?

He stated he felt he did well despite pressure. In an interview with Sports Illustrated, he believed moving to United was the right step for his career at the time.