Manchester United officially announced Hojlund's departure for 44 million, launching a 100 million sales plan! A 40-year-old veteran's renewal is confirmed

Manchester United officially announced on Wednesday that Danish striker Rasmus Hojlund has been transferred away. He was loaned to Napoli in Serie A last season, and after the club secured Champions League qualification, a mandatory buyout clause of 44 million euros (38 million pounds) was triggered. Now, Napoli has finalized a permanent transfer agreement for Hojlund, marking the conclusion of his time at Manchester United.

Hojlund joined Manchester United from Italian side Atalanta in 2023 for a transfer fee of 72 million pounds. He has become the first player sold in this summer window. Combined with the 6 million euro (5.2 million pounds) loan fee from last summer, he has brought a total of 50 million euros (43 million pounds) back to United. On paper, this represents a significant loss, but not in accounting terms.

Hojlund, who dreamed of playing for Manchester United as a child, leaves Old Trafford with a record of 26 goals in 95 appearances. United's official statement read: "Hojlund has officially transferred to Napoli. Everyone at the club sends him their best wishes for the future."

After returning to Serie A, Hojlund made 44 appearances for Napoli, scoring 16 goals, helping the team win the Italian Super Cup and finish as runners-up in Serie A. Napoli has signed him to a five-year contract with an annual salary of 5 million euros, plus lucrative bonuses, allowing him to earn up to 12 million euros per year. Starting from the summer of 2027, his release clause of 85 million euros will become active.

But none of that concerns Manchester United. Successfully selling Hojlund effectively offsets the cost of signing Ederson, United's first summer acquisition from Atalanta, a 26-year-old Brazilian midfielder who cost 45 million euros. Club owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has a plan this summer not only to buy players but also to sell, aiming to raise over 100 million euros in transfer fees.

Next, United hopes to resolve the futures of Rashford and Andre Onana, both of whom were also on loan last season, playing for La Liga champions Barcelona and Turkish side Trabzonspor, respectively. Ideally, the Red Devils want to get 30 million euros (26 million pounds) from Rashford and 20 million euros (17 million pounds) from Onana. By also selling Ugarte and Zirkzee, they could potentially reach 100 million euros or even 100 million pounds.

However, reality is not so ideal. Barcelona has already signed English winger Anthony Gordon for 80 million euros, so they have refused to activate the 30 million euro buyout clause. Instead, they want to extend the loan or buy Rashford at half price.

Trabzonspor is keen to keep Onana, but due to the transfer fee and salary issues surrounding the 30-year-old Cameroonian goalkeeper, loaning him out for another season seems like a more realistic option. United paid 50 million euros for him, and his basic weekly wage is 120,000 pounds.

Italian transfer expert Fabrizio Romano said: "Onana has returned to Manchester United, and the current plan is for him to join Carrick's pre-season training camp. Trabzonspor is still eager to keep Onana and hopes to discuss extending the loan until June 2027. They will continue negotiations with United and Onana."

Onana's future remains uncertain, but his teammate, 40-year-old veteran Tom Heaton, has already confirmed he will stay. Heaton has signed a new 12-month contract with United, expected to be officially announced in the coming days. He will continue as the third-choice goalkeeper, primarily responsible for assisting with training.

A product of United's youth academy, Heaton left the club early in his career and had a successful career, earning a call-up to the England national team. He returned to the Red Devils from Aston Villa in 2021, but has only made three first-team appearances. However, like previous coaches, Carrick also values Heaton's role as a training partner and leader in the dressing room.

Heaton is the only player in United's squad who experienced the Sir Alex Ferguson era and is highly respected by his teammates. His contract was set to expire this summer, but United decided to renew it. Aside from his experience bringing stability to the goalkeeper position, this decision is also due to Champions League requirements. As a United academy graduate, Heaton's "homegrown" status helps address the club's quota for locally trained players in Champions League matches.