Key Takeaways:
- Napoli entered a decisive phase of negotiations for Hojlund following Manchester United’s willingness to discuss multiple transfer options.
- The Italian club proposed a loan with an option to buy, considering an increase to Hojlund’s salary from 2.8 million to between 4 and 4.5 million.
- Milan’s renewed interest added pressure to Napoli’s efforts to finalise a deal, as contacts continued over the weekend.
Negotiation Developments and Transfer Talks
An almost imperceptible divide remains between Napoli and bringing Hojlund to southern Italy, with the intricacies of the football transfer market on full display as the saga enters its most pivotal stage. Despite paperwork being prepared and negotiations seemingly in Napoli’s favour, nothing is certain until a final agreement is secured—a situation complicated by ongoing interference, shifting priorities, and the resurgence of Milan as a rival suitor.
Over the weekend, discussions paused momentarily before resuming with renewed focus, as Napoli found themselves leading the chase but acutely aware that any misstep at this crucial point could alter the outcome. Milan’s return to the scene heightened tension at Castel Volturno, where anxiety grew over potentially losing their advantage in the race for the striker.
🚨🔵⚪️ Napoli are confident to get Rasmus Højlund deal done very soon as talks are at final stages!
Loan with buy option clause to become mandatory for fee close to €45m package.
Contract until June 2030 for Rasmus, waiting on exit terms agreement with Man United. ⏳ pic.twitter.com/sLr9g1Vvjd
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 26, 2025
Terms of Napoli’s Proposal
Napoli’s optimism has been on the rise since Manchester United indicated a willingness to consider any transfer structure, reinvigorating negotiations for Hojlund and moving the process towards a final decision. The club reaffirmed their intentions to the Danish forward—a stance initially conveyed on August 17, in the wake of Lukaku’s injury diagnosis, which forced a re-evaluation of their transfer objectives on both tactical and long-term grounds.
Preferring a loan with an option to buy, Napoli would offer a salary increase for Hojlund, moving from his current 2.8 million to the 4 or 4.5 million favoured by club president De Laurentiis. Final decisions regarding the player’s future would then be made in the summer of 2026. The current offer highlights opportunities for Hojlund to contend for the league crown, participate in the Champions League, and play alongside names such as De Bruyne and McTominay.
| Player | Current Salary | Offered Salary | Transfer Structure | Decision Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hojlund | 2.8 million | 4–4.5 million | Loan with option to buy | Pending (decision expected shortly) |
Stakeholders and Next Steps
The striker’s agents, his father, and Napoli executive Manna have all played significant roles in driving negotiations forward, with Manna maintaining continuous communication to pre-empt and counter any advances from Milan. The primary objective is to persuade Hojlund to avoid another week of inactivity in the stands at Old Trafford and to opt for a transfer with clear prospects.
Should Napoli secure Hojlund, the club would then shift attention to other potential reinforcements such as Elmas or Brescianini, but only after finalising negotiations for their priority target.
