Manchester United’s Rasmus Højlund might have only left on loan a few months ago, but if Fabrizio Romano’s latest update is anything to go by, the Danish striker’s Old Trafford chapter is already close to closing.
The 22-year-old joined Napoli this summer on a deal that included a Champions League-triggered obligation to buy. But according to Romano, the Italians won’t even need that clause to make the move permanent — they’re already convinced.
Napoli Ready to Lock Him Down
The loan arrangement initially looked like a test run, but Højlund’s impact in Serie A has been instant. Four goals in six games across competitions have given Antonio Conte’s side a reliable focal point, and crucially, a young forward who looks tailor-made for Italian football.
Romano, speaking on his YouTube channel, was emphatic: “Apart from the obligation to buy, Napoli want to keep Rasmus Højlund permanently. Napoli trust him and see him as part of their long-term project. The permanent transfer is almost guaranteed.”
That’s about as clear as it gets in transfer language. When Romano uses “almost guaranteed,” it usually means the paperwork is a matter of time.
United Spell: Promise but Frustration
For United, Højlund’s exit feels like both a relief and a regret. Across more than 90 appearances at Old Trafford, he managed 26 goals — not a disastrous return, but hardly the numbers expected from a marquee striker. Too often, he looked uncomfortable against the physical grind and tactical intensity of the Premier League.
In Italy, though, it’s a different story. The game’s rhythm suits him, and Conte has tapped into his strengths in a way Erik ten Hag never quite managed. The contrast is stark, and telling.
The Bigger Picture at Old Trafford
There’s another reason this deal looks inevitable: Benjamin Šeško. With the Slovenian now leading the line at United, any striker behind him is destined for limited minutes. And at 22, Højlund simply can’t afford another season of bench-warming in Manchester.
So, what’s next? If Napoli seal the permanent signing, United free up wages and potentially bank a decent fee, while Conte gets a forward he trusts for the long haul. Win-win — though some United fans will wonder whether the club gave up on Højlund just as Serie A revealed his real potential.
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