Serie A giants ready to use player hailed as ‘clever and strong’ by Guardiola as makeweight in Hojlund deal

Stretty News

·8 de mayo de 2025

Serie A giants ready to use player hailed as ‘clever and strong’ by Guardiola as makeweight in Hojlund deal

In the event Manchester United and Rasmus Hojlund decide he should embark on a new venture this summer, he will have the option of returning to familiar surroundings.

Indeed, the Dane is now, according to reports in Italy, being strongly considered by both Juventus and current Serie A leaders Napoli, the latter of which would see him reunite with ex-teammate Scott McTominay.

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Hojlund spent one season plying his trade in the Italian top flight with Atalanta in 2022/2023, during which he scored nine goals and contributed four assists. Erik ten Hag and the United board clearly saw enough that warranted them agreeing a £72 million deal to prise him from Atalanta and have him leading the line in M16.

Why United are considering cutting ties with Hojlund prematurely

While his maiden year in England did leave fans with some hope that he’d come good, Hojlund’s sophomore season has left much to be desired. From 10 league goals in 30 appearances to a lacklustre four in 29 heading into the final fixtures of the Premier League, the 22-year-old has regressed since August.

Such form hasn’t deterred his suitors from sizing up a move, though. TuttoSport claims United’s No.9 is ‘first on Juventus’ list to strengthen the attack’ in the coming months, and they believe they can sweeten a potential deal by utilising a Premier League-proven star in the form of Douglas Luiz.

Juventus keen to use Luiz as makeweight in Hojlund deal

Luiz has been utilised sparingly since swapping the Premier League for Serie A. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)

If there’s one player who’s regretting their transfer decisions over the last 12 months, it’s the ex-Aston Villa midfielder.

Luiz, who spent two years on Manchester City’s books and was hailed as ‘clever, physical and strong’ by Pep Guardiola, bid farewell to the Villans after playing an integral role in the side securing Champions League qualification and took his talents to Turin, where he has since made a measly three league starts.

In three of the Old Lady’s last five matches, he has been made to watch on from the dugout as an unused substitute for 270 minutes.

United have previously been credited with interest in the Brazilian international. However, the prospective deal seems unlikely, given that the two players are not like-for-like replacements for one another.

Reinforcements up front are crucial for Ruben Amorim in his first full season as the Reds’ boss, and the game time Luiz so crucially needs to revive his career is not promised under the Portuguese coach.