Is the Højlund transfer deal changing? Napoli may fail to meet the activation conditions but still promises Manchester United a permanent transfer

Napoli suffered a 1-2 defeat against Atalanta on Sunday, and with one draw and one loss in their last two games, their place in the Serie A top four is in jeopardy. Italian teams have struggled in European tournaments this season, making it difficult to claim a fifth berth. Consequently, if Antonio Conte’s squad falls out of the top four, they will fail to qualify for the Champions League. This means the permanent transfer clause for Manchester United’s loanee forward Rasmus Højlund will not activate automatically.

The 23-year-old Højlund has experienced fluctuating form; after scoring three goals in three matches between late January and early February, he has gone scoreless in his last three games. Against Atalanta, Højlund initially won a penalty, but the decision was overturned after VAR review, sparking controversy. However, Manchester United can take some comfort in Napoli’s assurance that even if the team fails to meet the mandatory Champions League qualification buyout condition stipulated in the loan agreement, they will still activate the clause and sign the Danish striker permanently at the end of the season.

According to the buyout clause, Napoli must pay €44 million to acquire full ownership of Højlund. This season, the “Freight Train” has scored 12 goals across all competitions, including 8 in Serie A and 3 in the Champions League. During Romelu Lukaku’s injury absence, Højlund has become the trusted striker for coach Conte.

Although Højlund has supported Manchester United since childhood, he has given up the dream of continuing to play for the Red Devils in order to gain more playing time. He expressed great enthusiasm about continuing his journey at Napoli.

Højlund said, “I don’t live in the city center, but I really want to explore the streets and alleys of Naples, even though I know it’s not easy for players to get around. I can feel the incredible energy this city radiates, and its vibrancy and character are evident every moment—not just at the Maradona Stadium. It’s an underrated city, actually not dangerous, despite what many rumors say.”

Reflecting on his struggles at Manchester United and revival at Napoli, Højlund compared himself to a bottle of ketchup—sometimes the flow gets blocked, but when it’s good, the goals come in quick succession.

“I’m like ketchup. When the sauce doesn’t come out, you struggle to squeeze it, and then suddenly it gushes out. It feels the same when you go through a long goal drought,” he said. “Scoring goals is truly exhilarating, but when the team and coach trust you, the goals are like flowers—they will bloom; it’s just a matter of time.”

Højlund does not regret leaving Manchester United. In fact, he believes the decision was beneficial and expressed gratitude for Conte’s trust. “I came to Napoli to win trophies, and winning the Italian Super Cup proved that my choice was right. When I was in Bergamo (Atalanta), I was impatient and wanted to get everything done quickly. I kept putting pressure on myself as if I had no second chance.”

Højlund explained, “Now I manage my energy more reasonably, and Conte constantly guides me. I give my all during matches because that’s what the coach demands, but I also conserve energy to use at crucial moments. Conte has incredible mental strength, and I deeply admire his mindset. He is passionate, determined, and a winner—actually a consistent winner. If he doesn’t win, we immediately realize we haven’t won either.”

The Danish striker insists he still has plenty of room to improve: “I have a lot to learn, and I believe Conte is the right coach to help me develop in many areas. Compared to the Rasmus Højlund from August, I’m now a completely different player. I’m still progressing, and although I’m not very young anymore, I’m confident I can still improve significantly.”