Rasmus Højlund’s summer exit from Manchester United has taken another twist with revelations from Italy about how close he came to joining Inter Milan. The Danish striker eventually moved to Napoli on loan, but fresh reports from Calciomercato claim that Inter sporting director Piero Ausilio personally phoned Højlund to explain why the Nerazzurri had pulled out of the deal.
According to the Italian outlet, Inter had genuine interest in signing the Manchester United forward but financial pressures meant that any potential deal depended on a loan arrangement. With United reluctant to sanction such a move early in the summer window, Inter instead placed faith in one of their own – 20-year-old Francesco Pio Esposito.
This was not just a boardroom decision. Calciomercato report that Ausilio directly told Højlund: “Forgive us, but we’re suspending all negotiations with Manchester United because we’ve seen the right qualities in one of our players that drives us to believe in him.”
That player was Esposito, who returned from a loan at Spezia and immediately earned the trust of Inter boss Cristian Chivu. With Lautaro Martínez sidelined during parts of the season, Esposito has featured heavily, including at the FIFA Club World Cup. Inter sources now insist they have no regrets about shelving their pursuit of Højlund.
Inter Milan’s faith in Francesco Pio Esposito
The Nerazzurri are building around Esposito as a long-term forward option. Having impressed on loan in Serie B last season, he has already stepped into the first-team rotation and shown the mobility and energy required to thrive at the highest level. His minutes at the Club World Cup were seen as a test of his readiness, and Inter are confident they made the right decision.
The decision also saved the club from potential financial strain. Inter’s summer budget was tight, and United’s stance on Højlund made a straightforward loan difficult. The result was a strategic pivot towards youth development rather than another expensive forward addition.
“Forgive us, but we’re suspending all negotiations with Manchester United because we’ve seen the right qualities in one of our players.” — Piero Ausilio via Calciomercato
Rasmus Højlund stats 2025/26
| Stat (2025/26) | Rasmus Højlund |
|---|---|
| Appearances | 2 |
| Goals | 1 |
| Assists | 0 |
| Pass Accuracy | –% |
source: sofascore match data – 25 September 2025
So far at Napoli, Højlund has shown glimpses of why he was so coveted, scoring once in his first two games. While it is a small sample, it underlines his potential value in Serie A and begs the question of whether Inter may one day regret turning him down.
Analyst Verdict
FootballPlace analyst John William sees both logic and risk in Inter’s stance:
“Inter are gambling on Esposito to deliver consistently, which is a bold but potentially rewarding move. In the short term, Højlund looks like the more proven option at this level. But Inter’s refusal to overstretch financially may protect their long-term stability while also allowing them to nurture a genuine academy product.”
William added: “For Højlund, Napoli offers the perfect stage. If he scores regularly, Manchester United will face a big decision on whether to reintegrate him or cash in next summer.”
Key Insights
- Inter Milan pulled out of Rasmus Højlund talks due to faith in Francesco Pio Esposito.
- Sporting director Piero Ausilio personally called Højlund to apologise.
- Financial constraints also influenced Inter’s decision.
- Højlund has started well at Napoli, scoring once in two games.
- Inter have no regrets, with Esposito now trusted by Cristian Chivu.
What’s Next for Højlund and Inter?
Højlund’s immediate focus is on Napoli, where he will compete in Serie A and European fixtures. Should he continue scoring, the pressure on Manchester United to resolve his long-term future will grow. A productive season in Italy could reopen doors across Europe, potentially even at Inter if circumstances change.
For Inter, all eyes are on Esposito. If he continues to thrive, their decision will be vindicated. But should the young forward struggle, fans may look back at the summer call to Højlund as a sliding-door moment.
👉 Did Inter Milan make the right call in trusting Esposito over pushing harder for Rasmus Højlund?
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