First Man Utd summer sale confirmed in major boost to transfer plans

Updated: 6 May 2026 11:33 BST | 5 min read

Michael Carrick, Man Utd, 2025/26 — © IMAGO

Matthew Judge | Editor

Manchester United have seen their summer transfer plans receive a major boost after Napoli confirmed they will sign on-loan striker Rasmus Hojlund on a permanent deal.

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The Red Devils are believed to be planning a major midfield revamp ahead of the summer transfer window opening on Monday, 15 June, with BBC Sport claiming several targets are being monitored by the club’s hierarchy.

Among those mentioned are Real Madrid’s Aurelien Tchouameni, Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson and Brighton and Hove Albion’s Carlos Baleba, with other reports suggesting the latter two could command fees towards the €120million (£104m) mark.

Current ETV

Elliot Anderson

DM, M (C)

N. Forest

Elliot Anderson

DM, M (C)

N. Forest

ETV Range

€47.2M - €57.7M

The Athletic reported last summer that Baleba, who United pursued through intermediaries before hitting pause on their pursuit, has a price tag of over £100m, while the same publication believe it will take a similar fee to prize Anderson away from Forest.

United have already received a huge boost to their summer transfer kitty after the 3-2 Premier League victory over fierce rivals Liverpool last Sunday confirmed the club will earn Champions League revenue next season.

And the 20-time league champions will now have even more more to spend, in theory, after Serie A side Napoli revealed they will complete the permanent signing of Hojlund at the end of the season - regardless of whether they qualify for next season’s Champions League or not.

After struggling to find the back of the net on a consistent basis under former United manager Ruben Amorim, Hojlund joined Napoli on an initial loan with an obligation to buy for €44m (£38m), should the Italian side qualify for Europe’s premier club competition.

But in quotes carried by The Mirror, Napoli sporting director Giovanni Manna confirmed Hojlund will remain at the club beyond the 2025-26 campaign, saying: "There are no doubts. Rasmus will stay here.

“We have an obligation to buy from Manchester United, in case of Champions League access, but he is in our plans regardless of this condition.”

Current ETV

Rasmus Højlund

F (C)

Napoli

Rasmus Højlund

F (C)

Napoli

ETV Range

€48.7M - €59.5M

Denmark international Hojlund has scored 10 goals in 30 league appearances for Antonio Conte’s men, who are currently second in Serie A and six points clear of fifth-placed Roma with just three league games remaining.

United, meanwhile, are looking to end the season strongly ahead of their final three Premier League fixtures against Sunderland (away, 9 May), Forest (home, 17 May) and Brighton (away, 24 May).

While there remains much speculation over which midfielders United are monitoring ahead of the summer transfer window, the club also face a decision over whether to appoint caretaker manager Michael Carrick on a permanent basis.

Carrick, who represented United as a player between 2006 and 2018, has been the architect of the club’s return to the Champions League after succeeding Amorim at the helm in January.

Analysis: Hojlund’s permanent move to Napoli appears to suit all parties

While Hojlund may have fancied his chances of succeeding at United had he been managed by Carrick instead of Amorim, it makes sense that the forward will remain at Napoli on a permanent basis.

The young striker could be forgiven for feeling envious of Benjamin Sesko flourishing under Carrick’s stewardship, with the Slovenia international having also found life difficult under ex-United boss Amorim.

However, it remains to be seen as to whether Carrick will get the United job on a permanent basis, meaning Hojlund is perhaps better off staying with Serie A giants Napoli.

The former Atalanta attacker has impressed for the Partenopei this season, scoring 14 goals in all competitions as the club lifted the Supercoppa Italiana under former Chelsea boss Conte in December.

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