Napoli are planning to make Rasmus Hojlund's loan from Manchester United permanent for £43m, a deal described as a 'formality' by Italian media. The Premier League club signed the Danish striker from Atalanta in August 2023 for £64m, meaning they will incur a £21m loss on the transfer.
Hojlund struggled to justify his fee at Old Trafford, scoring only 14 goals in 62 Premier League appearances. His slow start, taking months to net his first league goal, ultimately led to a reshuffle in attack, with United spending over £200m on Benjamin Sesko, Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha in the summer.
The move adds to a litany of costly transfers from the Erik ten Hag era. Antony, signed for £82m from Ajax, was sold to Real Betis for just £21.6m after a disappointing spell. Casemiro, bought for £60m, is expected to leave on a free transfer when his contract expires this summer. Meanwhile, Joshua Zirkzee and Manuel Ugarte, who cost a combined £87.5m, are both being linked with exits that would not recoup their fees.
The cumulative losses on Ten Hag's signings could exceed £150m, with the frustration compounded by players flourishing elsewhere. Scott McTominay, a homegrown talent sold to Napoli, has impressed, and Hojlund has also found form in Italy, scoring nine goals this season.
Napoli sporting director Giovanni Manna told Corriere dello Sport: 'We did everything we could to sign him. There's an option to buy and an obligation to buy if we qualify for the Champions League. The player considers himself a Napoli player.'
