Manchester United have reportedly named their asking price for misfiring striker Rasmus Hojlund amid claims that he could be set to make a swift return to Serie A.
The 22-year-old has thus far failed to live up to expectations at Old Trafford and has endured a particularly rough 2024-25 season with just eight goals and four assists in 42 games in all tournaments.
The bulk of Hojlund's contributions have come in the Europa League, but he was ineffective in Thursday's 2-2 quarter-final first-leg draw with Lyon and was substituted just after the hour mark.
While Hojlund has had a direct hand in eight goals in 11 games in Europe's secondary tournament - five of his own and three assists - he has netted a paltry three goals in the Premier League, including just one in his last 16 games.
As Man United are almost certainly going to be in the market for a new number nine in the summer window, the Denmark international could be available for the right price and is supposedly on the radar of a number of Serie A clubs.
Man United to accept small loss on Hojlund?
© Imago
Hojlund burst onto the scene with Atalanta BC before joining Man United in 2023 and remains highly rated in Italy, but according to Tuttomercatoweb, it will take a fee of €60m (£52m) to prise him away from Old Trafford.
Hojlund remains under contract with Man United until the summer of 2028 with the option of a further 12 months, but they are seemingly resigned to taking a financial hit on the player they paid €73.9m (£64.1m) for in 2023.
The Red Devils reportedly have no interest in loaning out the Dane and will only consider a permanent sale due to their need to raise funds, but it is still not clear which Italian clubs are genuine contenders for his signature.
Juventus have been mentioned as possible candidates, as the Old Lady could lose Dusan Vlahovic at the end of the season, while Randal Kolo Muani is only on loan from Paris Saint-Germain.
However, the report adds that there have been no firm talks between Man United and Juventus over a deal for Hojlund, but the striker's relatively modest wage packet of £3.9m per year could make a deal feasible.
While Juventus are yet to make a decision, Napoli are believed to be eyeing a possible swoop, as head coach Antonio Conte seeks competition and cover for Romelu Lukaku next season.
Could Napoli's Hojlund interest lead to sensational swap?
© Imago
A 20-year-old Hojlund had the pressure of shouldering the goalscoring burden straight away at Old Trafford, but he would surely benefit from learning alongside an experienced goal-getter such as Lukaku.
The former Chelsea striker arrived at Napoli as a replacement for Victor Osimhen, who was frozen out of the squad last summer and made the shock switch on loan to Galatasaray, but his move to Turkey will not be made permanent.
Man United have unsurprisingly been mentioned as contenders for Osimhen's signature, raising the possibility of a sensational swap deal involving the Nigerian and Hojlund, although the Red Devils would likely also have to stump up a cash fee as well.
Furthermore, Sir Jim Ratcliffe may choose to move for a more youthful striker in the shape of Ipswich Town's 22-year-old hitman Liam Delap, as Osimhen turns 27 later this year.
Ben Knapton
