Napoli hold talks to sign Rasmus Hojlund as Amorim makes his plan clear | OneFootball

Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has a “clear plan” for his forward line amid interest from Serie A champions Napoli in Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee, Fabrizio Romano reveals.

Panic in Naples

Napoli, spearheaded to their Scudetto triumph last season by former United star Scott McTominay, are seeking to defend their title this season under Antonio Conte.

But the Italian side have suffered a last-minute blow to their pre-season with star striker Romelu Lukaku ruled out for around three months after sustaining a “high-grade injury in his thigh” in a friendly against Olympiacos.

This has led Napoli to immediately explore the forward market with their season opener against Sassuolo just six days away.

The Neapolitans have previously been linked with moves for Hojlund and Zirkzee with reports resurfacing today of renewed interest in both United players.

But Romano reveals Napoli will only be able to sign one of the duo as Amorim has a “clear plan” on who he wants to keep at Old Trafford this season.

Tweet: “Napoli had direct contact with Man United today following Romelu Lukaku’s injury as he’ll be out more than 3 months. Napoli asked for loan deal conditions for Rasmus Højlund. Man United want to keep Joshua Zirkzee, no talks despite links today. Clear plan by Rúben Amorim.”

The Italian transfer expert contends United “want to keep Joshua Zirkzee [with] no talks [with Napoli] despite links today” while Hojlund is free to leave following the signing of Bejamin Sesko last week.

A return to Italy for Hojlund?

Romano reveals Napoli established “direct contact” with their Old Trafford counterparts today to ask for the “conditions” of a loan deal for Hojlund.

United would prefer a permanent sale of the Denmark international but there is internal recognition that they would not receive a transfer fee which would surpass his remaining book value, believed to be around £45 million.

This means if Hojlund was to be sold for a fee lower than this, his sale would actually incur a negative hit from a PSR perspective.

A loan with a fee and wage coverage would, therefore, represent a better deal for United with the hope that Hojlund would regain form and increase his transfer value by next summer.

AC Milan had been leading the race to sign the 22-year-old striker on loan, but now they face competition from a domestic rival.

From Hojlund’s perspective, he would prefer to remain at Old Trafford and fight for his place.

However, Amorim has made it clear he has fallen down the pecking order with the Dane not even making the bench against Arsenal yesterday while Zirkzee did, despite not having played a minute in pre-season.

The Portuguese coach’s plan for Hojlund appears clear: play in Italy or sit in the stands in Manchester.

Featured image Matt McNulty via Getty Images

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