Napoli are on the brink of agreeing a deal to sign Rasmus Hojlund with former Manchester United star Scott McTominay playing a key role in convincing the striker to join the Italian champions.
Hojlund has been told he can leave Old Trafford this summer with United signing Benjamin Sesko as their new first-choice striker.
The Denmark international has been reluctant to leave, determined to stay and fight for his place. But having been left out of the squad for United’s opening games of the new Premier League season, he is now open to a return to Italy.
AC Milan have shown interest but Napoli now appear to be leading the race, keen to sign another striker after losing Romelu Lukaku to injury.
McTominay had one season playing alongside Hojlund but left Manchester last summer to join the Italian giants.
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The Scotland international had a spectacular first season in Italy, adored by Napoli supporters as he helped fire them to the Serie A title.
With Napoli hoping to convince Hojlund to make the same move, McTominay has been in contact with the striker urging him to join him in Naples.
Corriere dello Sport report Napoli are ‘edging ever closer’ to a deal with Hojlund with McTominay calling him over the weekend.
The report claims the call is likely to be a ‘decisive step towards a definitive yes’ from the former Atalanta star.
Hojlund himself has pushed for a loan move that includes an obligation to make the move permanent next summer.
United are prepared to sanction such a move, hoping to collect a €40million (£34.6m) fee next year on top of an initial €5m (£4.3m) loan fee.
Hojlund joined United from Atalanta in a £72m deal two years ago. While he showed plenty of promise in his first season, his 2024-25 campaign was a disaster, scoring just two Premier League goals.
United hope to offload the striker before the summer transfer window closes on 1 September.
The club are also still hoping to move on Jadon Sancho, Antony and Alejandro Garnacho in the coming days.