Rasmus Højlund may be on his way back to Serie A. The Danish striker, who made a name for himself at Atalanta before his high-profile move to Manchester United in 2023, has caught the attention of Napoli, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport.
The Italian club is struggling to find the net this season, and head coach Antonio Conte is reportedly looking for reinforcements up front. With Napoli sitting just three points behind league leaders Inter and almost certain to secure a Champions League spot for next season, a summer rebuild is on the horizon.
The club is already planning for life without Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who joined Paris Saint-Germain in January, and Victor Osimhen, whose sale is expected to bring in around €75 million (560 million DKK).
Højlund High on Napoli’s Wishlist
Napoli’s sporting director, Giovanni Manna, is eager to bring in a young, hungry striker, and La Gazzetta dello Sport claims that Højlund is at the top of their shortlist alongside Udinese’s Lorenzo Lucca.
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Manchester United, facing financial pressures, could be open to selling Højlund, but their reported asking price of around €60 million may prove challenging for Napoli. Nevertheless, the Italian giants are expected to keep pushing for the Danish forward as the summer transfer window approaches.
A Logical Move for Napoli?
Danish Football commentator Niels Christian Frederiksen weighed in on the rumors on Viaplay Sport News, stating that a move for Højlund “makes perfect sense” for Napoli.
“They have a lot of matches to play next season, and a Champions League spot is almost guaranteed,” Frederiksen explained.
“They have Romelu Lukaku as their main striker, but he turns 32 in May, so they need an alternative. Under Conte, they might even play with two strikers in certain games. So, I actually think it makes a lot of sense,” he added.
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Højlund’s contract with Manchester United runs until 2028, but with Napoli keeping a close eye on the situation, a return to Italy could be on the cards.