Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS have increased their summer transfer budget (Image: Getty)
Napoli have announced the signing of Rasmus Hojlund, who was released by Manchester United this summer, on a permanent contract. The Italian champions are set to trigger a £38m release clause in the striker’s contract. It is believed that the Denmark international has already reached an agreement with Napoli on an improved long-term contract.
Hodgill, 23, failed to make a mark at Old Trafford and moved to the Italian club on a season-long loan last summer. The 23-year-old joined United from Atalanta in 2023 for £76m, and has gone on to earn the unwanted distinction of being one of the club’s most expensive players.
He scored just 26 goals in 95 competitive appearances before United cut the forward’s losses and allowed him to explore new avenues. However, since arriving at Napoli, Hojlund has blossomed, scoring 11 goals in 30 Serie A appearances for Antonio Conte’s side.
Napoli need to qualify for the Champions League in order to sign Hujlund for the agreed amount. However, sporting director Giovanni Manna insisted the club would pursue the deal regardless, although it was not mathematically guaranteed for them, who currently sit second behind Inter Milan.
“There is no doubt, Rasmus will stay here. We are obliged to sign him from Manchester United in order to qualify for the Champions League, but he is in our plans regardless of these conditions,” he said.
Meanwhile, United denied claims that the club had reached an agreement with the Brazilian Football Federation to rest Matheus Cunha for the remainder of the season.
Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti wants to get Cunha in peak condition ahead of the World Cup and has reportedly asked United to exclude him from their final three league games.
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Rasmus Heilund is ready to make a permanent move to Napoli (Image: Getty)
However, United firmly rejected such suggestions, insisting that no discussions had taken place with Ancelotti and his staff in South America. The Red Devils have made it abundantly clear that Cunha will continue to play a key role in the final stages of the campaign.
Despite United still having a game in hand to qualify for the Champions League, caretaker manager Michael Carrick is determined to see his team finish the season on a high note.
United still have their sights on a third-place finish, which would represent a prize money of around £50m for the Premier League giants. There is also the key issue of Carrick looking to strengthen his case for being given a full-time managerial role.
Carrick remains the front-runner and United are expected to make a decision within the next four weeks. Cunha joined from Wolves for £62.5m last summer and had an impressive debut season at United.
The attacking midfielder started 27 league games and scored nine goals, helping United secure a return to the top tier of European football.
The 26-year-old has won 21 international caps since making his debut in 2021 and is expected to be included in Ancelotti’s squad for the North American World Cup, which starts in five weeks.
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