Leipzig make fresh approach for Højlund, but €85m clause holds firm until 2027

Napoli's striker carries a release clause close to €85m, but it only becomes active in June 2027 — until then any bid below €80-85m goes nowhere.

by Rosaria CimminoFriday 9 October, 13:17 CET· 2 hours ago

Rasmus Højlund — Foto: VietnamJ25 · CC0

RB Leipzig have returned for Rasmus Højlund, running into the same obstacle they faced when the Danish striker was still at Manchester United: a release clause worth around €85m that only becomes active from June 2027. Until then, Napoli keep full control of his future and have no intention of selling for anything less than €80-85m.

Aurelio De Laurentiis's club bought Højlund from Manchester United in May 2026 in a deal worth €50m — six on an initial loan, with a €44m obligation to buy triggered by Champions League qualification. That was the same fee Leipzig had offered United at the time, without persuading the player, who chose Napoli regardless. Højlund is under contract until 2030 and remains head coach Allegri's starting centre-forward, though with the fixture list congested Allegri is weighing rotation with Lucca to manage his workload.

The transfer window, in any case, is closed — it reopens on Saturday 2 January 2027.