Napoli and Hojlund, full steam ahead: Manchester has given its yes. And ADL is increasing its offer to the Dane.

Let's go, as they say everywhere these days, but move slowly, because the pace of the transfer market is determined by too many different and not always convergent interests. And in this marathon, which began practically a week ago, immediately after Lukaku's injury, and has continued step by step, precisely to remain faithful to the mother of all negotiations these days, you need patience, steady nerves, and even a pinch of healthy recklessness. Giovanni Manna, Napoli's sporting director, won't confirm it even under torture, but his daily phone calls to Manchester (Old Trafford area) and to Hojlund's house remain the priority and yesterday he also took steps to download his mobile phone: optimism reigns supreme and in these cases, they suggest in those parts, God save the King. Rasmus Hojlund (22 years old) has ousted any other competitor, reducing Tolu Arokodare (25 in November), Nicolas Jackson (24) and the more withdrawn Artem Dovbik (28) to "subjects": there is still a tortuous path to follow but it seems a light is appearing at the end of the avenue. Manchester United has said yes to the onerous loan, and the "Danish" remains stuck in his ways. But Napoli has moved forward, preparing a plan that they hope will be financially convincing, and with €4.5 million net per season, they're trying to entice the striker into abandoning the option of a buyout. There's more, of course, and it's the same thing discussed in the past few days: Napoli has reiterated to Hojlund that they consider him crucial this season, where there will be three games to play every three days between the league and the Champions League, to defend the Scudetto and play a leading role in Europe. And a showcase like this, come what may, can't be ignored. But Napoli also believes it can think about the future, albeit with the caution that a club sensitive to its budget cannot abandon: the buyout option can be negotiated later, taking into account everything that happens within the next nine months or even later, because such a young striker, once integrated into the city, becomes an asset to be protected, even for himself.

Hojlund's value for United fluctuates between 40 and 45 million euros and Napoli is aware that in a market where prices are anything but controlled, one shouldn't be shocked by such a valuation: however, in the meantime other things should be done, for example Janlu Sanchez (22) of Sevilla who continues to say no to any offer from the Premier League, or Eljif Elmas (26) who is confidently awaiting a response from Leipzig, who was offered one and a half million for the loan and another ten and a half for the buyout (but now Roma are also lurking). And however these have become the subsequent arguments because now, having already spent 155 million euros, it is not necessary to be the housewife of Voghera to start counting: and De Laurentiis, who has not denied himself investments, however does not like to take steps that are much longer than he can chew. But the all-in on Hojlund is a temptation, not a gamble.