Napoli have moved swiftly to secure their long-term future with on-loan striker Rasmus Hojlund, with reports emerging that a substantial release clause will be embedded in his permanent contract.
The Details of the Deal
The Danish forward, 22, joined the Italian giants on a temporary deal from Manchester United in the summer of 2025, with an option to buy. That option is set to become a mandatory obligation should Napoli qualify for next season's Champions League, triggering a fee of €50m (£43.6m) payable to United. With Napoli currently sitting third in Serie A, just two points off the top, that outcome appears increasingly likely.
According to Corriere dello Sport, Napoli's planning goes far beyond the initial purchase. The club intends to insert a hefty €85m (£74.2m) release clause into Hojlund's contract once his move is made permanent. This clause is reportedly scheduled to become active in the summer of 2027, protecting the club's asset while also setting a clear valuation for his future.
Hojlund's Impressive Form in Italy
Since his arrival, Hojlund has enjoyed a productive spell in Naples, a stark contrast to his inconsistent time at Old Trafford. He has found the net seven times and provided three assists, quickly adapting to the demands of manager Antonio Conte.
Conte himself has been full of praise for the young striker's development. "Hojlund is a player who is very young, he's still only 22 years old, and can improve a great deal," the Italian coach stated. "Since he first joined us, he has already progressed to become a dominant player in that role... he has huge margin for further improvement."
What This Means for Manchester United
Hojlund's comments earlier in December strongly suggested he sees his future in Italy, telling reporters, "Next season, I'll give my interviews in Italian." His resurgence in Serie A, coupled with United's summer recruitment of other forwards like Benjamin Sesko, Matheus Cunha, and Bryan Mbeumo, points towards a permanent departure.
For Napoli, the structure of the deal represents a significant piece of strategic business. The €50m obligation represents a substantial investment, but the planned €85m release clause indicates they believe the player's value will skyrocket, potentially setting them up for major profit in the coming years. Hojlund will be aiming to continue his rich vein of form as Napoli face Lazio in Rome this weekend.
