MU suffers heavy losses with the first player sale deal

The newest confirmation from the opposite negotiating party only deepens the disappointment of Red Devils supporters, while the team still grapples with the fallout from years of inefficient buying and selling strategies.

According to Napoli's sporting director, Giovanni Manna, signing a long-term contract with Rasmus Hojlund is now just a matter of time. The Danish striker is currently playing for the blue-clad team on loan from Manchester United and has quickly proven his worth in Serie A. Mr. Manna confirmed that, as of now, the permanent purchase of Hojlund will almost certainly be triggered at the end of the season, and MU will have to pay no less than £30 million for this deal.

Last summer, after MU restructured their attack, Hojlund was forced to leave Old Trafford. Instead of remaining a marginal figure in the coaching staff’s plans, the 2003-born striker chose to return to Italy, where he had previously shined with Atalanta. This decision quickly paid off as Hojlund became a key player in coach Antonio Conte’s tactical system at Napoli.

After half a season, Hojlund has scored 9 goals across all competitions, directly contributing to Napoli’s pursuit of the 2025–26 Italian Super Cup title. This is also the first trophy in the Danish forward’s career, marking a significant turning point following a difficult period in England with the Red Devils.

Notably, after winning the Super Cup final, Hojlund posted a picture lifting the trophy along with a caption that implied a sarcastic comment on his parent club’s decision.This action quickly caught the attention of the media and fans, seen as a strong statement of his powerful comeback after leaving Manchester United.

According to Giovanni Manna, the loan contract between Napoli and MU includes a buyout clause, which will even become mandatory if the Italian club qualifies for the Champions League. Importantly, Hojlund sees himself as a Napoli player, and the club’s management shares this view, indicating a clear bond between both parties.

Financially, this deal remains highly controversial for Manchester United. Hojlund was signed by Old Trafford from Atalanta in 2023 for an initial fee of £64 million. However, Napoli is reportedly paying only about £38 million to acquire the striker permanently. This large price gap adds to MU’s growing list of loss-making transfers during a period marked by repeated poor decisions in the transfer market.