Man United’s Hojlund linked with Serie A return as Chelsea prepares for massive summer clearout

As the summer transfer window gathers momentum, two of England’s most prominent clubs, Manchester United and Chelsea, are bracing for major player movements that could reshape their squads ahead of the 2025/26 season.

Inter Milan target Hojlund in surprise move back to Italy

Manchester United’s Danish striker Rasmus Højlund has emerged as a prime target for Inter Milan, who are eager to bolster their attacking line after narrowly missing out on the Serie A title and enduring a humiliating 5-0 defeat against Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Champions League final.

Despite being seen as a long-term project by former manager Erik ten Hag, Højlund has struggled to replicate his Atalanta form in England, scoring just four Premier League goals during the 2024/25 season, two fewer than Liverpool’s Darwin Núñez despite having played more games. The 22-year-old’s challenges in adapting to the Premier League and the uncertainty surrounding his role under newly appointed manager Rúben Amorim have reportedly made him available for a potential move.

Inter Milan are now exploring a loan deal with an option to buy, hoping to provide the young forward a platform to reignite his career in a familiar environment. Højlund, who scored 16 goals and provided seven assists in 42 appearances during his breakout campaign at Atalanta, is still highly regarded in Italy, and a return could be mutually beneficial.

Manchester United, on the other hand, are facing mounting pressure to comply with Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations following the £62.5 million acquisition of Matheus Cunha from Wolverhampton Wanderers. A loan move for Højlund, particularly one with a future purchase clause, could alleviate some of that financial burden while also helping the player rediscover his form.

Although United remain reluctant to part ways with Højlund permanently, he is under contract until June 2028, a temporary exit seems increasingly likely as Inter looks to seize the opportunity.

Chelsea set for summer squad overhaul with 14 players on exit list

Meanwhile, over at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea are preparing for a sweeping summer clearout as newly appointed manager Enzo Maresca begins his project to rejuvenate the club ahead of their return to the Champions League.

Fresh off a late surge that secured European qualification and a UEFA Conference League title following a hard-fought victory over Real Betis, the Blues are determined to trim their bloated squad and correct past recruitment missteps.

According to multiple sources close to the club, 14 players are currently deemed surplus to requirements, including big-money signings and international stars. Among the headline names expected to depart are:

• João Félix, who failed to impress during his loan spell at AC Milan after joining Chelsea in a £45 million deal.
• Christopher Nkunku, who has battled injuries and form issues since arriving from RB Leipzig in 2023 for £52.7 million.
• Noni Madueke, whose development appears to have stalled under successive managers and is now viewed as expendable.

In addition to these attackers, Chelsea is also open to selling several midfielders and defenders, including Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Carney Chukwuemeka, Lesley Ugochukwu, Ben Chilwell, Axel Disasi, Wesley Fofana, and both first-team goalkeepers Robert Sánchez and Djordje Petrovic.

Sánchez, signed from Brighton for £30 million, and Fofana, acquired from Leicester City for a staggering £70 million, could both leave at considerable financial losses as the club shifts its focus to players more aligned with Maresca’s tactical blueprint.

Raheem Sterling, who remains one of the club’s highest earners at £325,000 per week, is also likely to depart after failing to secure a move to Arsenal last season. Despite having two years left on his contract, Sterling was reportedly sidelined for much of the previous campaign and is no longer seen as part of Chelsea’s long-term vision.

The situation surrounding Trevoh Chalobah remains uncertain, with the club open to offers but not actively pushing for his sale.

Strategic Reset at Stamford Bridge

Chelsea’s decision to offload a significant portion of its squad reflects not only a change in managerial direction but also a commitment to sustainability amid growing concerns over financial regulations. The club’s spending under previous regimes has come under scrutiny, and the current leadership is determined to balance the books while building a team capable of challenging for the Premier League and progressing deep into European competitions.

For Enzo Maresca, the clearout represents both a challenge and an opportunity, a chance to put his stamp on the squad and foster a more cohesive unit for the demanding season ahead.

With the transfer window still open and the FIFA Club World Cup looming, both Manchester United and Chelsea are expected to remain active in the market, with incoming and outgoing deals likely to shape their respective fortunes for the 2025/26 campaign and beyond.