Manchester United must wait a little longer to complete the sale of Rasmus Hojlund.
Rasmus Hojlund is not expected to play for Manchester United again, with club and player moving their separate ways last summer.
Hojlund is on loan at Napoli, who have a clause in the deal to sign him permanently for £38 million.
The deal will be activated when or if Napoli qualify for the Champions League.
Last night Napoli blew a chance to effectively secure a top four finish in Serie A, keeping Manchester United waiting.
Did Manchester United make a mistake sending Rasmus Hojlund on loan?
Napoli lose at home to Bologna
Napoli suffered a shock home defeat to Bologna on May 11. They had recovered from going 2-0 down to equalise, before the visitors scored an injury time winner.
It was a first win in four games for Bologna, who moved up to eighth.
Napoli remain in second place despite the loss – but they are only three points ahead of fifth placed Roma.
This was a blown opportunity to move six points clear of fifth spot – the Europa League qualifying place, with just two games to go.
| Pos | Team | P | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Inter Milan | 36 | +54 | 85 |
| 2 | SSC Napoli | 36 | +18 | 70 |
| 3 | Juventus | 36 | +29 | 68 |
| 4 | AC Milan | 36 | +18 | 67 |
| 5 | AS Roma | 36 | +24 | 67 |
| 6 | Como 1907 | 36 | +32 | 65 |
Juventus are two points behind Napoli and Milan are level on points with Roma.
Inter are clear at the top of the table, with just three points now separating four teams.
Sixth placed Como are two points further back and could yet overhaul Napoli if Antonio Conte’s side lose their final two matches.
Marcus Rashford evidently does not want to return to Man Utd – There is no way back for him surely?!
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Rasmus Hojlund’s contribution
All of this means that Manchester United’s sale of Rasmus Hojlund is not guaranteed yet.
If Napoli blow the chance to qualify for the Champions League and fall into the Europa League places or worse, they could try to back out of the deal – at least at the agreed £38 million price.
The good news is Napoli’s next game is away to bottom of the table Pisa. Their final match will be against 10th placed Udinese, who have nothing to play for.
But as the game against Bologna showed, nothing is guaranteed yet.
Rasmus Hojlund’s wait for a goal goes on, he has not scored for the club since early March.
He did provide an assist in the 3-2 loss but failed to offer a goal threat himself. He remains on 10 league goals for the season.
If Napoli do qualify for the Champions League, the expectation is that they will pay up for Hojlund by the end of June.
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