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Napoli are scrambling to adjust their attacking options after Romelu Lukaku picked up a thigh injury that could keep him out for as long as three months. The setback has opened the door for serious talks with Manchester United over striker Rasmus Højlund, who has struggled to establish himself under Erik ten Hag’s successor, Ruben Amorim. At the same time, Gianluigi Donnarumma’s name is circulating in transfer conversations again, with questions mounting over his long-term future at Paris Saint-Germain.
Højlund: The Short-Term Solution Napoli Need?
Napoli’s interest in Højlund is hardly a surprise. When Lukaku was brought in, the expectation was that his power and presence would carry Antonio Conte’s frontline through key fixtures in both Serie A and Europe. Now, with the Belgian ruled out for a stretch that includes the opening stages of the Champions League, Napoli are scrambling for cover.
Højlund’s profile fits the bill. The Danish striker has the physique Conte values and enough pace to stretch defenses, but his time at Old Trafford has been complicated. Manchester United invested heavily in him only last year, valuing him around £40 million, but with Amorim preferring other attacking options, his minutes have dwindled. A loan move is being floated as a realistic compromise giving Napoli the forward they desperately need and United the chance to reassess his development elsewhere.
It’s not the first time the two clubs have been linked in striker talk. Earlier this year, there was speculation about a player-plus-cash deal involving Victor Osimhen, but that felt more like a long-term reshuffle than an immediate fix. With Lukaku sidelined, Napoli’s focus has shifted. The word in Naples is that Conte himself views Højlund as a stop-gap worth serious consideration, and the club have now received a formal offer to explore.
Donnarumma’s Future: Talent Without Stability
While Napoli weigh up their next striker, Gianluigi Donnarumma’s future is playing out on another stage. Officially, he remains under contract with PSG until June 2026. In practice, however, his position feels far less secure. Omitted from the squad for the UEFA Super Cup and making public noises about leaving, he looks closer to the exit door than the club might admit.
Donnarumma’s career has never lacked drama. Hailed as one of the world’s finest goalkeepers since his teenage years, he has also faced ongoing scrutiny for flaws in his game. Analysts point to his footwork and reluctance to command space off his line, weaknesses that become magnified in faster leagues. Andy Brassell, among others, has suggested that while Premier League giants like Manchester United, City, and Chelsea could make a move, adapting to the intensity of English football would be no small challenge for him.
For now, his situation at PSG remains unsettled. A contract may exist on paper, but trust between player and club looks broken. With two years left, the likely scenario is an early departure, whether this summer or in January.
Key Updates at a Glance
| Topic | Update |
| Højlund to Napoli | Napoli pursuing loan move; United open to negotiations; swap deals explored earlier |
| Lukaku’s injury | Out up to three months, pushing Napoli toward urgent attacking reinforcements |
| Donnarumma’s contract | PSG deal runs until 2026, but exclusion from squad suggests an imminent split |
Napoli’s pursuit of Højlund highlights a club acting with urgency. They can’t afford to stumble in the opening months of a campaign that carries both domestic and European weight. For Donnarumma, the story feels different: less about urgency and more about limbo. He has the talent to attract big suitors, but stylistic doubts and his strained PSG relationship mean his next chapter is still an open question.