Napoli Confirm Permanent Signing of Man Utd’s Rasmus Højlund

Napoli sporting director Giovanni Manna has confirmed the club will permanently sign Manchester United striker Rasmus Højlund. The 22-year-old Danish forward is currently on a season-long loan with the Serie A champions. His move is now set to be made final this summer.

Manna stated the deal is essentially a “formality.” This follows Højlund’s successful season in Italy, where he has already won a trophy. The confirmation ends speculation about the player’s future.

Details of the Deal and Højlund’s Napoli Success

The permanent transfer is triggered by Napoli qualifying for the Champions League. According to Manna, there is an option and an obligation tied to this achievement. He emphasized that both the club and player consider him a permanent Napoli squad member.

Højlund joined Napoli last summer after Manchester United restructured their attack. He has scored nine goals across all competitions for Antonio Conte’s side. He also helped the team win the Supercoppa Italiana in 2025-26.

The financial terms represent a significant loss for United. Napoli will pay just £38 million for his signature. Manchester United originally signed Højlund from Atalanta for £64 million in 2023.

A Transfer Marking United’s Recruitment Struggles

This transfer is viewed as another misstep in United’s recent recruitment history. Højlund faced intense pressure during his two seasons at Old Trafford. His departure and subsequent success highlight a recurring problem for the Premier League club.

United replaced Højlund with RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Šeško last summer. The Slovenian striker has managed only two goals in 16 matches so far. His slow start contrasts sharply with Højlund’s impact in Naples.

The Dane has rebuffed suggestions he underperformed in Manchester. In an interview with Sports Illustrated, he stated he felt he did well, especially in his first year. He pointed to being the team’s top scorer and winning a trophy as key achievements.

This permanent transfer concludes a chapter of disappointment for Manchester United. It solidifies a fresh start for Rasmus Højlund in Italy. The deal underscores the ongoing challenges at Old Trafford.

Info at your fingertips

Q1: Is Rasmus Højlund staying at Napoli permanently?

Yes. Napoli’s sporting director has confirmed the permanent signing is a “formality.” The deal will be finalized this summer following his successful loan spell.

Q2: How much will Napoli pay for Højlund?

Napoli are expected to sign the striker for £38 million. This is notably less than the £64 million Manchester United paid to sign him from Atalanta in 2023.

Q3: Why did Højlund leave Manchester United?

He left as part of a forward line restructuring at United last summer. Seeking more playing time and a fresh start, he moved to Napoli on a season-long loan.

Q4: Has Højlund performed well at Napoli?

Yes. He has scored nine goals and already won the Supercoppa Italiana with the club. His form has convinced Napoli to trigger the permanent clause in his loan deal.

Q5: What was the condition for the obligatory purchase?

The obligation for Napoli to buy Højlund was linked to the club qualifying for the Champions League. Sporting director Giovanni Manna confirmed this condition has been met.