Conte defends Hojlund as Man United keep waiting for permanent transfer | OneFootball

Napoli coach Antonio Conte insists Rasmus Hojlund has ‘margin for improvement’ while the Partenopei continue chasing a Champions League placement, which would automatically make the Dane’s move from Manchester United permanent.

Napoli suffered a 3-2 home defeat to Bologna on Monday, failing to mathematically secure qualification for the Champions League with two games to spare.

Hojlund started the match but could not find the net, yet the Partenopei boss Conte defended the Manchester United loanee.

What Conte said about Hojlund after Napoli 2-3 Bologna

“Let us not forget, he is the only striker we’ve got in the squad right now, so he’s playing constantly,” Conte said at full-time.

“I wish I had the chance to give him some rest. He’s young, has a lot of energy, and there are moments when you need to attack the space, others when you hold up the ball. He is only 23, works hard for the team and has margin for improvement.”

Hojlund has scored 14 goals in 42 appearances across all competitions this season.

The Dane is technically on loan from Manchester United, but Napoli have an option to make his move permanent for €44m.

NAPLES, ITALY – FEBRUARY 10: Rasmus Hojlund of SSC Napoli gestures during the Coppa Italia match between SSC Napoli and Como 1907 at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on February 10, 2026 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)

The Partenopei’s option becomes mandatory if they qualify for the Champions League, but as things stand, they still haven’t secured a top-four finish with just two games remaining.

Napoli director Giovanni Manna has repeatedly claimed that Napoli would make Hojlund’s move permanent in the summer regardless of Champions League qualification.

Napoli remain well-placed to earn a Champions League spot, sitting second in the table with a three-point lead over Roma and Milan, who are level in fourth with 67 points.

Next weekend, the Partenopei will visit already-relegated Pisa, ending their campaign at home against Udinese the weekend of May 24.