Ex-Napoli midfielder: Hojlund price tag ‘justified’ in ‘bargain’ move from Man United | OneFootball

Former Napoli midfielder Ivano Trotta feels the Partenopei got a ‘bargain’ deal with Rasmus Hojlund and not just because the Denmark international only took 14 minutes to score his first goal after leaving Manchester United.

Hojlund formally joined Napoli on deadline day as the Partenopei were seeking a new centre-forward following an injury to Romelu Lukaku.

Hojlund scored on his Napoli debut against Fiorentina over the weekend and is expected to start on Thursday, when Napoli make their 2025-26 Champions League debut away at Manchester City.

Napoli praised for ‘bargain’ Hojlund move

FLORENCE, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 13: Rasmus Hojlund n celebrates after scoring a goal during the Serie A match between ACF Fiorentina and SSC Napoli at Artemio Franchi on September 13, 2025 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)

“Hojlund is an extraordinary player. He really impressed me against Fiorentina. He has incredible qualities. The €40-50m spent is justified because we are talking about a young talent with great potential,” Trotta, a former Napoli midfielder, told 1 Station Radio, via TMW.

“In the end, things turned out well because Hojlund has shown himself to be a very strong footballer, and for the price Napoli paid, they got a bargain. In just 14 minutes, he scored a goal as a pure striker. It wasn’t easy to read that vertical pass from Spinazzola and avoid being caught offside. He has the traits of a top player.

“That goal was extremely difficult because the defender was closing in, and he used his body perfectly to hold his position, while keeping composure.

Ex-Napoli midfielder ‘impressed’ by Hojlund

FLORENCE, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 13: Kevin De Bruyne and Rasmus Hojlund of SSC Napoli celebrates after scoring a goal during the Serie A match between ACF Fiorentina and SSC Napoli at Artemio Franchi on September 13, 2025 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)

“However, what impressed me the most was his ability to help the team move up the pitch. When Napoli played quick, vertical passes, he shielded the ball, and the defender couldn’t get in front of him. That is decisive. He’s a strong player, with great potential and in my opinion, Napoli even underpaid for the great value he brings. Once again, they’ve made a great signing.”

Napoli, the defending Serie A champions, have won all their opening three league games this season and share the top spot in Serie A with Juventus.

Hojlund has joined Napoli on an initial loan deal with an obligation to buy.

A former Atalanta striker, the Dane international netted 10 times in 34 games across all competitions with La Dea in the 2022-23 season.