Manchester United could secure their second summer transfer today
Michael Carrick’s Manchester United could be about to confirm a second summer transfer(Image: Martin Rickett/PA Wire)
Rasmus Hojlund will no longer be a Manchester United player by the end of today if Napoli qualify for next season’s Champions League.
United agreed a £38million conditional obligation to buy the Denmark international as part of the deal that took him to Naples last summer. Their arrangement means the reigning Serie A champions must sign Hojlund if they secure a spot in UEFA’s premier club competition.
Napoli currently sit second in Serie A and are assured of at least Europa League football next term. However, they could still finish as low as sixth, with five points separating them from Como.
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Qualification seemed certain after beating Milan in early April for their fifth consecutive win. However, they have won just one of the five since, losing at home to Bologna and Lazio.
A visit to already-relegated Pisa is next up for Napoli on Sunday evening. All teams from second to sixth have their matches kick off at the same time this weekend.
Como host Parma, who drew 1-1 with the champions to start this downturn in form, Milan visit Genoa, Roma face Lazio in the Derby della Capitale, while Juventus also host their rivals Fiorentina. A win for Napoli would earn them Champions League football.
That is because the champions have a better head-to-head record than Roma. They won 1-0 at the Stadio Olimpico in late November and drew 2-2 at home earlier this year after scoring an 82nd-minute equaliser.
Como would also no longer be able to catch them, regardless of their own result. Antonio Conte’s team would thus finish no worse than fourth.
Hojlund’s sale is due to become United’s second summer transfer after Casemiro. The Brazil international has announced that he will leave Old Trafford when his contract ends.
Much like his former teammate, the Dane is having a strong season, leading Napoli with 14 goals across all competitions. The striker has recently gone scoreless across their last six matches, but did assist their equalisers against Bologna – before Jonathan Rowe scored a 91st-minute winner – and Parma.
The club made their stance on signing Hojlund clear earlier this month when sporting director Giovanni Manna said: “There are no doubts, Rasmus will stay here. We have an obligation to buy from Manchester United, in case of Champions League access, but he is in our plans regardless of this condition.”
Conte has also defended Hojlund from recent criticism over a lack of goals, saying: “Let’s not forget that he’s the only striker we have in the squad, and he’s the only one playing, he should have had the chance to rest and come on during the match.
“He has a lot of energy and is a player with excellent qualities. He’s 23 years old and has significant room for improvement; you can’t say anything [bad] about him; he plays for the team.”
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