Man Utd finally get their way with Hojlund as special clause included in deal

Manchester United are trying to offload Rasmus Hojlund before the summer transfer window closes – and appear to have made a breakthrough in negotiations with Napoli

Manchester United could still get their way over Rasmus Hojlund – thanks to an injury of a former player. Hojlund is on the transfer list at United after the arrival of Benjamin Sesko and it appears that a move that suits all parties could be on the horizon.

United spending £74million to sign Sesko from RB Leipzig was always likely to spell the end for Hojlund at Old Trafford after a difficult 2024/25 campaign. The Danish striker managed just 10 goals in 52 matches last season and Ruben Amorim has opted to splash £200m on a whole new front line of Sesko, Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha.

Hojlund is part of a group of United outcasts that also includes Alejandro Garnacho, Jadon Sancho and Tyrell Malacia. United are keen to seal a permanent transfer for the 22-year-old, but had until recently only received interest around loans from Italy, where he has a good reputation following a spell with Atalanta.

However, an injury to ex-United striker Romelu Lukaku has shifted the thinking at Napoli, where Antonio Conte is looking for reinforcements up front. The defending Serie A champions are likely to be without Lukaku until November and are warming to the idea of signing Hojlund after the success of Scott McTominay's move.

Reports in Italy state that Hojlund is their priority in the remainder of the summer transfer window and they are willing to change their stance to get him. Napoli had previously been reluctant to go beyond a loan deal with an option to buy, but they are now considering an obligation to buy clause.

That would come as a major boost for United, who are desperate to shift their unwanted players so they can reinvest in a No.6 midfielder. While Marcus Rashford left on loan for Barcelona, they have struggled to shift the other members of Amorim’s so-called ‘bomb squad’.

Hojlund cost £72m from Atalanta two summers ago, but they are willing to cut their losses. He has previously been valued at around £35m, having scored 26 goals in 95 games for United altogether.

Napoli do have other options, with Roma striker Artem Dovbyk and Chelsea's Nicolas Jackson also on their list. AC Milan had been keen on Hojlund but reportedly now prefer Juventus’ Dusan Vlahovic, while Lecce's Nikola Krstovic, Monaco's Breel Embolo and Sassuolo's Andrea Pinamonti are also options.

Amorim left Hojlund out of the squad for their opening game of the season against Arsenal on Sunday and the Dane won’t be involved when they play Fulham on Sunday. Joshua Zirkzee was an unused substitute against the Gunners and also faces an uncertain future this season.