Manchester United are reportedly preparing to finalise one of their first major transfer deals of the summer, with growing claims that a permanent agreement involving Rasmus Højlund and Napoli is now close to completion.
According to the reports, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano revealed that the arrangement between Manchester United and Napoli is expected to be officially completed next week.
The deal is said to involve a transfer fee worth around €44 million, following the conditions that were included in Højlund’s loan agreement when he joined the Italian side last summer.
The reports claim that Manchester United inserted a mandatory purchase clause into the deal, meaning Napoli would be required to make the move permanent once certain sporting objectives were achieved.
With Napoli successfully securing qualification for next season’s UEFA Champions League, the clause has reportedly now become active, paving the way for the transfer to be finalized in the coming days.
Despite the obligation attached to the agreement, sources suggest Napoli were already eager to retain Højlund permanently due to his performances throughout the campaign.
Club officials, including sporting director Giovanni Manna, are believed to have been impressed with the striker’s impact since his arrival in Italy and reportedly viewed him as an important part of the club’s long-term plans.
The Danish forward is said to have adapted well to Serie A football, rebuilding confidence after a difficult spell at Old Trafford. While his time at Manchester United showed occasional promise, consistency proved difficult to achieve.
Supporters still remember his brief run of scoring form during his early months at the club, but injuries, tactical instability, and pressure surrounding the team made it hard for him to fully establish himself as United’s leading striker.
During his time with Manchester United, Højlund managed 26 goals and six assists in 95 appearances across all competitions.
His first Premier League season was viewed as relatively encouraging for a young striker adapting to English football, as he reached double figures in league goals.
However, his second campaign proved far more difficult, with a significant drop in productivity leading to growing doubts about his long-term future at the club.
Those struggles reportedly influenced Manchester United’s decision to strengthen their attacking options last summer.
The arrival of Benjamin Šeško from RB Leipzig in a major transfer deal added further competition in attack and gradually pushed Højlund further down the pecking order.
With Michael Carrick overseeing a squad rebuild ahead of the new season, Manchester United are believed to be focusing on reshaping several areas of the team, particularly midfield and attack.
The expected departure of Højlund would also help generate additional transfer funds as the club prepares for another busy summer window.
Meanwhile, Napoli supporters appear excited by the prospect of keeping the Danish striker permanently, especially after his strong performances in domestic competition.
His movement, work rate, and finishing ability reportedly convinced many within the club that he can become a key player moving forward.
Although official confirmation is still pending, the growing expectation is that the agreement will soon be completed, bringing an end to Højlund’s time at Old Trafford and opening a fresh chapter in his career in Italian football.
