"A formality" - Man United £38m transfer exit all-but confirmed as sporting director speaks out
Man United are expected to make their first permanent January sale in the coming days.
Ruben Amorim had a very clear transfer strategy in the summer, signing proven Premier League players such as Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo, but he also wanted to sell several names too.
The Man United boss wanted to sell to both generate more budget, but also get rid of some of the ‘dead wood’ at Old Trafford. Alejandro Garnacho, Ramus Hojlund, Andre Onana, Marcus Rashford and Antony all left the club.
Some left on loan, including Hojlund, who was a loan to Napoli with an obligation to buy, and it seems as though the Italian club are all but nailed to sign the Danish international permanently.
Hojlund’s permanent deal is a “formality”
Hojlund seems to really have found a new home at Napoli, as the Danish international has scored six goals and one assist in 12 Serie A games, and he seems to have captured the form that Man United wished for during his time at Old Trafford.
When he joined Napoli in the summer, the two clubs agreed on a £38m conditional obligation to buy if Napoli managed to qualify for the Champions League. That now looks nailed on, considering that Antonio Conte’s side are just two points off the top of the league in the Serie A.
According to BBC Sport, Hojlund’s permanent move is all but agreed, and Napoli sporting director Giovanni Manna has said that the 22-year-old is set to join the Italian club on a full-time basis.
When asked if Hojlund's permanent Napoli transfer was just a "formality," Manna replied: "As of today, I think so. There were more storied clubs interested, but his will was crucial, and we are proud of it."
Hojlund struggled to find consistent form at Man United, especially last season under Amorim, as he scored just 26 goals in 95 games for the Red Devils during his two years at the club. It now seems that he is set to leave the club permanently, especially if he keeps scoring every week.
Man United could sign a Hojlund replacement in January
Considering that Man United striker Benjamin Sesko has struggled this season, the Red Devils could opt to bring in another number nine in January to help boost Amorim’s chances of qualifying for the Champions League.
Sesko has scored just two goals in 15 Premier League games, and so Amorim would like a proven Premier League striker. Crystal Palace’s Jean-Philippe Mateta was linked with United in the summer, but reports have said that they could make a move to him in January to boost their attacking options.
Mateta has shown that he is more than capable of performing in the Premier League, scoring seven goals in 18 games this season for Oliver Glasner’s side. He is more of a traditional number nine, which would work better in Amorim’s 3-4-3 system, as Glasner plays a similar formation at Palace.