Napoli Close In on Rasmus Hojlund as Conte Shapes New 4-2-3-1 Project | OneFootball

Two years after swapping Serie A for the Premier League, Rasmus Hojlund is on his way back, with Napoli set to sign the former Atalanta star. According to Sky Sports, Manchester United have accepted Napoli’s bid for the Denmark international.

United splashed out an eye-watering £72 million to land Rasmus Hojlund in the summer of 2023. Despite moving to Old Trafford as one of Europe’s hottest prospects, the 22-year-old has flopped in the Premier League, netting just four goals in 32 appearances.

Manager Ruben Amorim has deemed Hojlund surplus to requirements after forking out north of £200 million to reinforce his attacking options this summer. Napoli have spotted a window of opportunity and decided to act on it as they desperately need a new center-forward after Romelu Lukaku suffered a long-term injury.

With the Belgian superstar expected to miss a large chunk of the season, Antonio Conte has made the signing of a new goal-scorer his top priority. Napoli had initially thought about pursuing Hojlund’s clubmate, Joshua Zirzkee. However, the Red Devils have taken the Dutchman off the market.

Therefore, the reigning Serie A champions have had to expand their search, with Hojlund emerging as a presentable market opportunity. It took Napoli some time to find an agreement with Man Utd, but after weeks of negotiations, they’ve finally struck a deal to bring Hojlund back to Italy.

Hojlund will join the Partenopei on a season-long loan with an obligation to buy. Napoli will pay a loan fee in excess of £5 million, with the total package worth just over £43 million. It’s worth noting that the clause will become mandatory only if Conte’s men have secured Champions League qualification.

Though it seems like a done deal, Napoli must still agree on personal terms with the player. It should be a mere formality, considering Hojlund is keen to return to his old stomping ground in the World Cup year. This move would see him reunite with his former Man Utd teammate, Scott McTominay.

How could Napoli line up with Hojlund?

Conte has been nothing if not tactically flexible since taking over the reins at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona. However, after signing several top players this summer, a 4-2-3-1 seems like his most viable long-term set-up.

Vanja Milinkovic-Savic could soon replace Alex Meret in goal. Despite leaving Alessandro Buongiorno and summer arrival Sam Beukema on the bench in a 2-0 win at Sassuolo, Conte may start deploying them as a new center-back pairing after the international break.

Miguel Gutierrez bids to dislodge Mathias Olivera from the starting XI and become the new first-choice left-back, with Giovanni Di Lorenzo expected to retain his place on the right.

Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa and Stanislav Lobotka look set to forge a double-pivot partnership in the midfield. However, McTominay may take the former’s place once Noa Lang finds his footing in Serie A.

Marquee summer signing Kevin De Bruyne will likely operate as an advanced playmaker, while Matteo Politano should continue to be the starting right-winger.

Hojlund may not have a guaranteed starting berth, considering Lorenzo Lucca has fared well in his early days in Naples. But once the Dane adapts to Conte’s system and rediscovers his scoring touch, he could quickly establish himself as the leading man up front.