Rasmus Hojlund has confirmed his permanent departure from Manchester United to Napoli for a £38m (€44m) fee, triggered by the Italian club securing Champions League qualification. The 23-year-old striker’s exit headlines a significant squad clear-out at Old Trafford, with manager Michael Carrick also confirming that Tyrell Malacia (26) and Casemiro (34) will leave the club following the expiry of their respective contracts this summer. The deal for Hojlund represents a substantial accounting loss for United, who signed the Denmark international for an initial £64m from Atalanta in 2023.
Numerical loss and Hojlund's Serie A return
As first reported by BeIN Sports, Hojlund’s permanent transfer was finalised following Napoli's 3-0 victory over Pisa on 17 May. Speaking after the match, Hojlund explained that his goal in the fixture carried personal weight, confirming that the victory activated the mandatory purchase clause in his loan agreement. "I'm now officially a Napoli player and I'm saying goodbye to Manchester United," Hojlund said, noting that while playing at Old Trafford was a "childhood dream," the transition to Italy is now complete. The £38m fee marks a roughly 40% depreciation in the player's market value since his arrival in Manchester three years ago, a reflection of a difficult period where he struggled to replicate the prolific form that earned him the move from Serie A.
Carrick leads overhaul of Ten Hag era signings
The departures of Malacia and Casemiro, confirmed by Carrick during a post-match speech at Old Trafford, signal a decisive move by executives Jason Wilcox and Omar Berrada to trim the wage bill. Malacia, the first signing of the Erik ten Hag era, leaves as a free agent after a knee injury limited him to just seven minutes of Premier League football during the 2025/26 campaign. Carrick urged supporters to show the full-back affection, noting he had been through a "tough time" with his fitness. Casemiro’s exit follows a similar trajectory of squad refreshment; the veteran midfielder's departure, alongside the Hojlund sale, provides United with much-needed breathing room regarding PSR compliance as they transition into Carrick’s first full season in charge.
The club is expected to target a specialist left-back and a high-volume central midfielder during the upcoming window to replace the departing trio.