With Napoli and Barcelona poised to trigger permanent options for Hojlund and Marcus Rashford, the INEOS ‘war chest’ is set for a massive summer boost.
Manchester United loanee Rasmus Hojlund has sent a clear message back to Old Trafford, claiming he is a “different player” since moving to Italy. The 23-year-old, who struggled to justify his initial £64m price tag in Manchester, has reinvented himself at Napoli under the fierce tutelage of serial winner Antonio Conte.
Hojlund’s resurgence in Serie A boasting 12 goals and 4 assists in 32 appearances has made a permanent exit increasingly likely, with Napoli holding a £38 million option to secure his services this summer.
The ‘Conte Effect’
Speaking to Il Mattino, Hojlund credited the former Chelsea and Spurs boss for his rapid evolution.
“Compared to Rasmus in August, I’m a different player,” Hojlund admitted. “Conte is fascinated by mentality; he’s passionate, fierce, and a serial winner. If he doesn’t win, we immediately understand it. I’m still improving, and I’m sure I have a lot of room to grow under him.”
The Danish striker’s recent brace in a 3-2 win over Genoa has solidified his status as one of the most clinical forwards in Italy this term, a far cry from the frustrated figure often seen at Old Trafford.
The £64m Summer Boost
United’s hierarchy, led by Sir Jim Ratcliffe, is closely monitoring two major loan deals that could define their summer spending power:
- Rasmus Hojlund: Napoli expected to trigger their £38m option.
- Marcus Rashford: Barcelona increasingly likely to pay their £26m permanent fee following his prolific stint in La Liga.
Combined, these deals would inject £64 million directly into United’s transfer budget. This “windfall” is reportedly earmarked for Michael Carrick’s midfield overhaul, with the club targeting the likes of Adam Wharton and Sandro Tonali.
A New Chapter?
While some fans may rue losing two high-profile attackers, the reality of the “INEOS era” is a focus on clinical efficiency and financial sustainability. If Hojlund and Rashford complete their permanent moves, it clears the path for United to pursue a new profile of forward—potentially Newcastle’s Anthony Gordon or RB Leipzig’s Yan Diomande.
Miguel Manjate is a football journalist and editor covering the Premier League, European competitions, and transfer news, with a strong focus on match analysis and data-driven reporting.
