Napoli, the Italian Serie A champions, are close to finalizing the signing of Danish striker Rasmus Højlund from Manchester United to compensate for the absence of Belgian Romelu Lukaku, who will be sidelined for several months due to injury. Lukaku suffered a left thigh injury during a friendly win over Greek Olympiacos on August 14, with an expected absence of up to four months. Napoli is working to secure a one-season loan deal for Højlund with an option to buy for 45 million euros, significantly less than the 77 million euros Manchester United paid to sign him from Atalanta in summer 2023. Napoli has strengthened its squad this summer but needs reinforcements in the striker position after loaning out Giovanni Simeone and Giacomo Raspadori.