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Manchester United give Napoli green light for Hojlund transfer

Napoli push to complete permanent deal

Manchester United have reportedly given Napoli permission to finalise a permanent deal for striker Rasmus Hojlund in January, according to The Mirror. The Danish forward joined the Italian champions on a season-long loan last summer and has impressed sufficiently to convince the club to accelerate their purchase option.

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The report claims that “Napoli want to exercise their obligation to buy Hojlund,” with discussions between both clubs at an advanced stage. The Serie A side are prepared to trigger the £38 million fee ahead of schedule, while United are said to be keen on concluding negotiations swiftly.

After struggling at Old Trafford, where he scored just 14 goals in 62 Premier League appearances, Hojlund appears to have rediscovered his confidence in Italy. His tally of four goals in six games before injury has left Napoli boss Antonio Conte “impressed” and eager to make the deal permanent.

United seek swift resolution

The forward’s loan has already proven mutually beneficial. United’s hierarchy are understood to want a quick sale to avoid a repeat of last season’s drawn-out transfer sagas, such as the Jadon Sancho situation.

The article notes that United’s decision to invest £66.3 million in Benjamin Sesko over the summer underlined their willingness to move on from Hojlund. With the striker “loving life on the Amalfi coast” and showing no interest in returning, the deal suits all parties.

Should the transfer be completed in January, United could recoup a significant portion of their initial £72 million investment from Atalanta while freeing space in their wage structure.

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Manchester United fans will likely greet this development with mixed emotions. Many will recall the initial excitement around Hojlund’s arrival and the hope that his physicality and energy would finally fill the long-vacant striker role. But after two frustrating seasons at Old Trafford, it feels as though both player and club need a clean break.

Hojlund’s struggles symbolised deeper issues with recruitment. Spending £72 million on potential rather than proven pedigree has been a recurring theme, and the arrival of Benjamin Sesko in the summer only reinforced the club’s shift towards a new direction. If Napoli’s reported £38 million deal goes through, it would represent a financial hit but also an opportunity to move forward decisively.

Fans may also see logic in letting Hojlund continue thriving under Antonio Conte. Serie A’s slower tempo and tactical structure appear to suit him better, and his confidence has clearly returned. For United, the key will be reinvesting any funds wisely, particularly in midfield or defence where depth remains a concern.

In the end, this situation underlines what many United fans already believe: the club must be pragmatic, not sentimental, in reshaping the squad. A swift, professional exit for Hojlund could serve as a small but important step in restoring footballing sense at Old Trafford.