Rasmus Hojlund’s £74m Napoli clause, transfer obligation and Man Utd message

Rasmus Hojlund is primed to leave Manchester United permanently this summer and make his Napoli move permanent having enjoyed his time there on loan

Manchester United striker Rasmus Hojlund looks set to complete a permanent move to Napoli this summer following his loan spell there this season. The Italian side are reportedly planning to include a substantial release clause in his potential new contract.

United paid a total of £72million when they signed Hojlund from Atalanta in 2023. He had just completed a 10-goal season in Italy and there were high expectations he could develop into a prolific goalscorer.

Yet, things simply didn’t click at Old Trafford. Across two seasons, Hojlund notched just 14 Premier League goals and swiftly fell out of contention when Ruben Amorim replaced Erik ten Hag. Following Benjamin Sesko’s £73m arrival at the club last summer, he headed to Naples.

There, the 23-year-old has experienced a transformation and has already found the net 12 times this campaign, surpassing his entire tally from last term. Napoli have a specific obligation to purchase Hojlund at the end of this season and the Dane received a significant message before departing United.

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Buy-out clause and £38m obligation

Built into Hojlund’s loan deal is a £38m obligation to purchase the striker that activates should Napoli secure qualification for next season’s Champions League. They currently sit in third place in the Serie A table with 12 matches left to play.

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Reports also indicate that even if Antonio Conte’s side fail to secure qualification for the competition, they would still pursue Hojlund’s purchase and possess an option to complete the deal.

It appears to be a matter of when rather than if Hojlund departs United permanently this summer, with Napoli having allegedly drawn up plans for the striker’s expected contract.

According to the Daily Mail, the club will include a £74.3m buy-out clause in Hojlund’s agreement and regard his signing as a formality. Sporting director Giovanni Manna reportedly sees no obstacle to the permanent transfer being completed in the next window.

Manchester United message

Before departing Old Trafford, Hojlund acknowledges United made it crystal clear why an exit was inevitable through their final message. He told Sports Illustrated: “United made it quite clear for me that I wasn’t part of the plans for this year coming into the season and with no European football and that sort of thing.

“I’m young, I have to play football and for that reason, I think this was also a good opportunity for me. Napoli saw an opportunity to go and get me and as soon as I heard the interest from them, I made it quite obvious for my camp and for the people around that I only wanted to go there.”

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Discussing his initial conversations with manager Conte, Hojlund added: “It was a quite short conversation. But a very, very good one. I think we were both quite clear that it was a good step for me. I think we [are] suited, it was a good match.

“I think he’s an incredible coach. I’ve only seen him do good things almost everywhere he’s been so obviously that was a big part of it. When he calls you, you just have to say yes.”

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