💰 DEAL DETAILS: Man United Could Earn €54.9M from Højlund’s 9-Month Loan to AC Milan If €45M Buy Option Is Triggered
1. Introduction: A Potentially Lucrative Deal
Manchester United could be on the verge of completing one of the most financially savvy pieces of business in recent memory. According to emerging reports, AC Milan are interested in signing striker Rasmus Højlund on a 9-month loan—covering his full wages—while paying an upfront €6 million loan fee. Crucially, the agreement could also include a €45 million buy option at the end of the loan, taking the total package to a remarkable €54.9 million (£46.67 million) if triggered.
This structure is notable for both the financial windfall it could provide United and the strategic flexibility it offers both clubs.
2. How the Deal Is Structured
Let’s break down the numbers:
- Loan Fee: €6 million (£5.1m) upfront from AC Milan.
- Wages Covered: Milan to pay Højlund’s full salary for the duration of the loan, reportedly worth about €3.9 million (£3.3m) over 9 months.
- Buy Option: €45 million (£38.25m) if Milan choose to make the move permanent at the end of the season.
The immediate guaranteed earnings from the loan would be €9.9 million (€6m fee + €3.9m wages saved). If the buy option is exercised, the total deal hits €54.9 million.
3. Why This Is Attractive for Manchester United
From United’s perspective, this potential agreement ticks multiple boxes:
- Immediate Cash Flow – The €6 million loan fee goes straight into the club’s coffers, helping with short-term financial liquidity.
- Wage Savings – Offloading Højlund’s salary frees up space for other signings or contract renewals.
- Flexibility – If Højlund thrives in Italy, United benefit from a sizeable transfer fee without the risk of him underperforming in Manchester.
- Financial Fair Play (FFP) Compliance – The earnings could help United stay within UEFA’s FFP limits, especially if large summer purchases are planned.
4. Why AC Milan Are Interested
For Milan, the deal represents a calculated gamble:
- Low Immediate Risk – They only commit to a €6m loan fee initially, testing whether Højlund fits their system.
- Young Talent with Potential – At 21, Højlund is still developing and could become a long-term asset.
- Serie A Fit – His style—direct runs, aerial ability, and physical presence—aligns well with Serie A’s tactical play and slightly slower tempo compared to the Premier League.
- Buy Option, Not Obligation – Milan keep control over whether they want to commit €45m next summer.
5. Højlund’s Journey at Manchester United
Højlund joined United in the summer of 2023 from Atalanta for a fee of around €75m (£64m). Expectations were high, but his debut season was a mixed bag:
- Strengths – Showed flashes of clinical finishing, linked up well in counter-attacking situations, and offered a physical focal point.
- Challenges – Struggled with consistency in the Premier League, partly due to United’s lack of creative supply from midfield.
- Injuries – Minor injuries disrupted his rhythm during crucial stretches of the season.
By the end of the campaign, he had registered 10 goals in all competitions—a respectable figure for a young striker adjusting to England, but perhaps not enough to convince the club he was the undisputed long-term No. 9.
6. Financial Context for Manchester United
United’s commercial revenues remain strong, but on-field struggles and high wage bills mean they must be strategic in the transfer market. Offloading Højlund’s salary—even temporarily—creates space for potential summer acquisitions.
The €54.9m potential total also represents a way to recoup much of their original investment in Højlund without the reputational damage of a cut-price sale now. It mirrors a growing trend in European football where loans with buy options are used as risk-mitigation tools.
7. The Buy Option Scenario
If Milan trigger the €45m clause next summer, here’s how it plays out for United:
- They effectively “recover” over 70% of the initial €75m fee paid to Atalanta after just two seasons.
- Combined with the wage savings and loan fee, United walk away with a respectable financial outcome for a player who may not have fully fit their long-term plans.
- The funds can be reinvested into a proven striker or spread across multiple squad upgrades.
8. The Risk Factors
Of course, there are inherent risks for both sides:
- For Manchester United:
- If Højlund explodes in form at Milan, United may regret letting him go, especially at a fixed price of €45m, which could look like a bargain in hindsight.
- If Milan choose not to buy, United could be left with a player whose market value hasn’t risen, possibly complicating future sales.
- For AC Milan:
- If Højlund struggles, the €6m fee and full wage coverage will still be sunk costs.
- If they trigger the €45m option but his form dips later, resale value could be an issue.
9. Fan Reactions
Fan opinion is split:
- Pro-Loan Camp:
- “Great business—risk-free way to offload wages and maybe cash in next summer.”
- “If Ten Hag isn’t going to build the attack around him, better to let him develop elsewhere.”
- Anti-Loan Camp:
- “We paid big money for a raw talent—selling now would be premature.”
- “We’ve been burned before by letting young players leave too soon.”
On the Milan side, fans seem cautiously optimistic, especially given the club’s history of revitalizing careers of strikers who underperformed elsewhere.
10. The Broader Transfer Market Trend
This deal reflects a wider European market shift:
- Loans with Buy Options are increasingly popular due to financial uncertainty and FFP constraints.
- Clubs avoid big upfront commitments while still securing access to high-potential talent.
- It allows selling clubs to maintain asset value without accepting lowball offers.
Other notable examples include João Félix’s move to Barcelona from Atlético Madrid and Romelu Lukaku’s loan to Inter Milan from Chelsea.
11. What This Means for United’s Squad Planning
If Højlund leaves, United’s striker department will require reinforcement. Current options include:
- Marcus Rashford – More comfortable on the left wing.
- Anthony Martial – Injury-prone and possibly departing.
- Youth Prospects – Not yet ready to lead the line consistently.
Potential reinvestment targets could include Victor Osimhen (Napoli), Benjamin Šeško (RB Leipzig), or Jonathan David (Lille)—though each would come with a significant price tag.
12. Conclusion: A Win-Win… If All Goes to Plan
The potential Højlund-to-Milan deal is a prime example of modern football’s balancing act between financial prudence and sporting ambition. For Manchester United, it offers a path to recover significant funds while freeing up wages; for Milan, it’s a chance to test a young striker in a low-risk, high-reward setup.
If the buy option is triggered next summer, both sides could walk away satisfied. But as with any transfer, success will depend on performances, adaptability, and a bit of luck.
Until then, the deal remains one of the most intriguing transfer stories of the window—part business strategy, part gamble, and potentially a masterstroke for whoever comes out on top.
