Manchester United are poised to suffer another significant financial blow in the transfer market, with Napoli reportedly set to make Rasmus Hojlund's loan move permanent for a fee that will see the Premier League giants take a substantial loss.
Napoli's "Formality" Deal for Hojlund
According to reports from Italy, Napoli are treating the permanent signing of Danish striker Rasmus Hojlund as a "formality". The Serie A club are prepared to activate an option to buy the player for a reported fee of £43 million. This development comes after Hojlund joined the Italian side on loan and has already impressed, scoring nine league goals this season.
This potential deal represents a major financial setback for Manchester United. The club signed Hojlund from Atalanta in August 2023 for a fee of £64 million as part of manager Erik ten Hag's rebuild. After managing just 14 goals in 62 Premier League appearances for United, the club appears ready to cut their losses, accepting a deficit of £21 million on the player after just three years.
A Bleak Pattern of Transfer Losses
If completed, the Hojlund sale would become the latest in a series of costly missteps in the transfer market during the Erik ten Hag era. The Dutch manager's recruitment has repeatedly seen United pay premium fees for players who fail to deliver at Old Trafford, only to be sold at a fraction of their cost.
The most glaring example remains the signing of Brazilian winger Antony, who was bought from Ajax for £82 million in 2022. After a disappointing spell, he was loaned to a Spanish club in January 2025 before making the move permanent for just £21.6 million the following summer—a staggering loss.
Other signings from the period paint a similarly grim financial picture. The acquisition of experienced midfielder Casemiro from Real Madrid for an initial £60 million now looks problematic, with the player's high wages and declining impact making him difficult to move on. His contract expires in the summer of 2026, and he could leave for free.
Furthermore, expensive signings like Joshua Zirkzee and Manuel Ugarte, who cost a combined £87.5 million, are also being linked with exits unlikely to recoup their original fees.
Frustration as Departing Players Flourish
The situation is compounded for United by the sight of former players thriving after leaving the club. Scott McTominay, a homegrown academy product, has found success at Napoli following his departure.
Now, Hojlund is following a similar path. His form in Italy has been a stark contrast to his struggles in England, prompting Napoli's sporting director, Giovanni Manna, to express his delight at securing the player. Manna told Corriere dello Sport: "We did everything we could to sign him. His will was crucial... The player considers himself a Napoli player, and the same goes for us."
The deal is structured with an option to buy and an obligation to buy if Napoli qualify for the Champions League. The cumulative effect of these transfer losses under Ten Hag's stewardship is projected to cost Manchester United well over £150 million, highlighting a period of profound financial and sporting mismanagement at one of the world's most famous clubs.
