Manchester United have reportedly begun initial talks with Napoli over the possible transfer of Rasmus Hojlund to the Serie A club in the summer transfer window.
The Red Devils beat Leicester City 3-0 on March 16 in their last Premier League game before the international break, with striker Hojlund scoring his side's first goal of the match.
Hojlund's strike was just his first goal for United in 22 outings, and his struggles this season have raised significant questions about the future of the 22-year-old at Old Trafford.
Reports have emerged from La Gazzetta dello Sport claiming that the Red Devils are in negotiations with Italian club Napoli over Hojlund, with United said to have set an asking price of £50m.
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Why has Hojlund struggled?
Though Hojlund is not the only player to have struggled under boss Ruben Amorim, the Danish striker has stood out under the Portuguese manager for all the wrong reasons.
Since his arrival at Old Trafford in August 2023 for a transfer fee of £72m from Atalanta, he has only scored 13 Premier League goals in 54 appearances, failing to find the back of the net in 45 of those fixtures.
Hojlund possesses immense speed and is athletic enough to stretch opposition defences, but he has at times been too caught up in contesting physical battles with centre-backs.
Considering United lack speed in the final third, the striker's decision to engage in duels with opponents rather than run in behind has limited the team's ability to create chances for him.
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How should Amorim rebuild his side's attack?
Hojlund is not the only forward reportedly up for sale this summer, with Alejandro Garnacho said to be of interest to teams like Chelsea.
Considering the financial difficulties that United are facing, the club may only be able to reinforce in the forward line in the event of departures.
Should Hojlund and Garnacho head for the exit door, United will almost certainly need to sign at minimum two forwards, though there is an argument that the club would need to sign an additional attacker regardless considering the team have been the seventh-worst offensive side in the top flight (37 goals).
Perhaps United could even strike an opportunistic deal with Napoli for striker Victor Osimhen, who is currently on loan in Turkey at Galatasaray, give relations with his parent club have reportedly soured.
Lewis Nolan
