Fabrizio Romano: Manchester United ‘expect’ £38m deal to be completed ‘very soon’ – ‘My feeling is very clear’

The latest Man Utd transfer news and gossip with a huge deal expected to be completed very soon.

Manchester United could be handed a huge boost ahead of the January transfer window if Napoli triggers their conditional obligation to buy Rasmus Hojlund earlier than required.

United received an initial €6million (£5.2m) loan fee for Hojlund when he moved to Naples and the deal also included the obligation to make the move permanent for €44m (£38m) next summer. Napoli would only have to make the deal permanent if they qualify for the Champions League and Hojlund makes enough appearances this season, two things that seem likely to happen.

Hojlund is currently sidelined due to injury but has enjoyed an excellent start to life at his new club with four goals in six appearances across all competitions. Napoli are top of Serie A after their 3-1 victory over Inter at the weekend, and there could be further good news if they trigger their obligation to buy Hojlund sooner rather than later.

Romano expects Napoli to sign Hojlund very soon

Rasmus Hojlund was frozen out at Manchester United after the summer signing of Benjamin Sesko and deemed surplus to requirements by head coach Ruben Amorim. He had featured for United in pre-season but was omitted from the squads against Arsenal, Fulham and Grimsby before he joined Napoli on an initial loan.

United paid £64 million to sign Hojlund from Atalanta only two years ago but will avoid a loss on Hojlund under the Premier League’s Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR) if the transfer obligation is met. It would be a huge boost for United’s finances and notorious transfer reporter Fabrizio Romano claims the clause could be triggered soon.

“I don’t think Rasmus Hojlund will go back to Manchester United,” he told the Here We Go podcast. “My feeling is very clear. Rasmus Hojlund, well, now he’s injured, he’s been injured for the last few games, but, as you mentioned, he started very well in Serie A and Champions League with Napoli.

“And the expectation of all parties involved, players, agents, clubs, both Napoli and United, is for the €44 million buy option clause to be triggered this month. So very soon, very, very soon, in the next month, let’s say like this, because there is an obligation to buy element included in the agreement, and this could be triggered quite soon.”