What began as a season-long loan with an obligation to buy has now become a permanent switch, after Napoli's qualification for the Champions League activated the €44 million purchase clause on top of the €6 million loan fee already paid to United. The Danish striker settled quickly into Antonio Conte's side, playing a key role as Napoli won the Supercoppa Italiana and finished runners-up in Serie A.
For Manchester United, the sale recoups a significant chunk of the fee originally spent to sign Hojlund from Atalanta, while Napoli lock down a 23-year-old striker who has already proven he can lead the line at the highest level in Italy. Hojlund is expected to be Napoli's undisputed first-choice number nine heading into the new campaign, with the club viewing the move as one of the shrewdest pieces of business of the window.