Manchester United are set to avoid a PSR loss on Rasmus Hojlund. The Danish striker’s loan move to Napoli will become permanent and the trigger is just days away.
Napoli’s obligation to sign Hojlund for €44million (£38m) will be activated when they secure Champions League qualification. The Italian side are second in Serie A with 70 points. They could seal it on Monday night against Bologna if Roma fail to beat Parma on Sunday.
Even if it doesn’t happen this week, it’s a formality. Hojlund is gone.
THE NUMBERS THAT MATTER
Napoli paid a €6million (£5.2m) loan fee for Hojlund this season. Now they’ll pay another €44m. That’s €50m total.
United signed him from Atalanta for £72m. So they’re taking a hit on the initial fee. But under Premier League Profitability and Sustainability Rules? They’ll avoid a loss on the books.
That’s the magic of amortisation.
AMORIM AXED HIM, THEN SESKO ARRIVED
Last summer, Ruben Amorim axed Hojlund from his plans. Despite involving him in pre season. Despite Hojlund flying to the USA and talking about fighting for his place.
Then the season started. He was omitted against Arsenal, Fulham and Grimsby. The message was clear.
United signed Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig for £73.62m on August 9. Sesko has scored 12 goals in his debut campaign. Hojlund? He scored 16 goals in his first United season, then 10 in his second. A backward step.
‘I REDISCOVERED MY LOVE FOR FOOTBALL’
Speaking in March, Hojlund didn’t hold back about his United exit.
“I got what I wanted with my transfer. I got a team that believes in me a lot. A club that believes in me a lot. A sporting director, a president and a coach who wants me,” he told TV2.
“It felt like it was over for me at one point [at United]. Here at Napoli, I’ve rediscovered my love for football. People even back in Denmark were writing me off, but I never stopped believing.”
He also addressed the criticism back home.
“I was put in a bit of a box at the end in Manchester. I knew there wouldn’t be much football for me if it continued like this.
“I know that, especially in Denmark, a media image was formed that it was all just s*** and terrible, and that I played like a bag of nuts, but that’s not how I look at it.”
THE SOCIAL MEDIA TOLL
Hojlund admitted the headlines got to him.
“It’s hard not to be on your phone. And if you are on your phone, you’re bound to see what’s being written about you in some way.
“It can be all sorts of places these days, but often because you’re tagged on your Instagram or Facebook. So I would say it would be a lie for me to claim that you don’t get to read it.”
THE BOTTOM LINE
Hojlund leaves United with 26 goals in 96 appearances. Not terrible. Not great.
Napoli believe in him. United have moved on. Sesko is the main man now.
The deal is done. The obligation is triggering. And United avoid a PSR headache in the process.
Sometimes, a clean break is best for everyone. This is one of those times.
