Rasmus Hojlund has completed a permanent transfer to Napoli for a fee of £38 million, officially triggering a clause in his contract following the Italian club securing Champions League qualification. The move brings to an end Hojlund’s year at Manchester United, where he joined from Atalanta in 2022 for a fee rising to £72 million.
The transfer allows Manchester United manager Michael Carrick to free up funds for a summer rebuild, with midfield reinforcements identified as a priority. United closed their Premier League campaign with a 3-2 victory over Nottingham Forest, finishing in third place, but Carrick is already planning for further investment to mount a title challenge next season.
Hojlund expressed a bittersweet sentiment regarding his departure from Old Trafford, stating that playing for Manchester United was a childhood dream fulfilled. He thanked the fans, players, and staff for their support, while also expressing excitement for a new chapter with Napoli, where he felt immediately welcomed. He scored in Napoli’s 3-0 win over Pisa, a result that confirmed their second-place finish and activated the release clause in his contract.
Alongside Hojlund’s departure, Manchester United have also confirmed that Tyrell Malacia will leave the club as a free agent this summer, with the club opting not to trigger the one-year extension in his contract. Malacia, the first signing of the Erik ten Hag era, struggled with injuries during his time at Old Trafford. Carrick acknowledged Malacia’s difficulties and thanked him for his contributions during his farewell speech at the end of the season. The exits of Hojlund and Malacia, coupled with potential departures of Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford, are intended to reshape the squad and provide financial flexibility for Carrick’s transfer plans.
