Manchester United have banked £38 million after Napoli's qualification for the Champions League triggered an obligation to buy Rasmus Hojlund. The Danish striker joined the Serie A side on loan last summer, with a clause making the move permanent if Napoli secured a place in Europe's elite competition.
Antonio Conte's side guaranteed their Champions League spot with a 3-0 win against already-relegated Pisa on Sunday. Hojlund scored in that match, taking his season tally to 15 goals and eight assists in 43 appearances for the club. He will follow former United midfielder Scott McTominay, who has also made his loan move permanent, becoming a cult hero in Naples.
Napoli's sporting director Giovanni Manna had already indicated the club's intention to keep Hojlund regardless of Champions League qualification. In March, he said: 'There are no doubts. Rasmus will stay here. We have an obligation to buy from Manchester United, in case of Champions League access, but he is in our plans regardless of this condition.'
The £38m boost comes ahead of the summer transfer window, with United aiming to challenge for the Premier League title. The club are not expected to replace Hojlund, having signed Benjamin Sesko last summer. However, former United players Peter Schmeichel and Nicky Butt expressed mixed feelings about the departure. Schmeichel said: 'A bit of a shame because I like Hojlund... but I don't think he wants to come back.' Butt added: 'What they did with Hojlund was wrong because they brought a young boy in who's not got any Premier League experience and asked him to carry Manchester United.'
