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After a tough spell on the Theatre of Goals following his headline £72 million transfer from Atalanta in 2023, Rasmus Hojlund has returned to the Serie A.
In a deal price round £43.2 million, a £5.2 million mortgage price and a £38 million possibility to purchase (triggered by particular clauses), Hojlund has joined Italian champions Napoli.
What Napoli consider the deal
For a striker who by no means fairly turned successful or the subsequent “Erling Haaland” after that blockbuster change to United, some view Napoli’s dedication as a chance.
However in line with Gazzetta dello Sport, the Antonio Conte-led aspect see it otherwise.
The Italian outlet claims that on the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium, there’s a robust perception that the deal will repay, whereas explaining why Napoli feels the agreed price will show worthwhile.
They write:
“Hojlund’s full focus shifts to Napoli, the Scudetto on his chest and the Champions League stage the place he as soon as shone for Manchester United, scoring 5 objectives in six appearances and clocking 489 minutes. That marketing campaign left little doubt: it is a striker with ‘sensational potential’.
“It’s why Napoli didn’t hesitate to speculate €50 million in him.”
Whereas Hojlund did not construct on a promising first season at United, the place he scored 16 objectives in 43 video games, anybody doubting him ought to rewatch clips from his 2023–24 Champions League run: he was a monster.
A insecurity and help noticed him crumble beneath strain final season.
Whereas he regarded revitalised in pre-season, United weren’t prepared to take the chance and as a substitute opted to signal Benjamin Sesko, broadly thought to be an improve.
With no European soccer and sport time scarce, Hojlund was compelled to depart Previous Trafford.
Napoli took a calculated gamble, backing him to step into the void left by the injured former United striker, Romelu Lukaku.
Excessive hopes
The 22-year-old might have felt “unsupported” at Previous Trafford, however issues could possibly be totally different in Naples. With Gazzetta dello Sport revealing:
“Conte now expects Hojlund to duplicate Lukaku’s attacking presence. Whereas their types differ, Hojlund shares traits with the early Lukaku, the one who fired Inter to the title after an 11-year wait.
“The Dane excels at attacking house, has fast, sturdy legs, and regardless of standing 191cm tall, can speed up over brief distances and maintain his personal on lengthy runs.
“Conte is already engaged on learn how to combine him into Napoli’s system.”
Debut lined up
Crimson Devils is not going to have to attend lengthy to see him again in motion, with the report revealing:
“The temptation to start out him in Florence is powerful. His debut is assured, and Hojlund is keen to expertise his first begin right away.”
United followers final season have been tuning into Napoli matches to comply with Scott McTominay, who has grow to be a giant hit in Italy.
Now they’ve another excuse: the Hojlund renaissance, to look at the Serie A champions’ video games as they give the impression of being to defend their Scudetto.
With Sesko tipped to shine at United, there may be hope Hojlund may also rediscover his type in Italy. It might be a disgrace for soccer to lose one among its most promising modern-day strikers.
Featured picture Lewis Storey by way of Getty Photographs
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