Manchester United have benefitted financially from their academy this summer, raising considerable funds from sales of their former youngsters.
In what has been a difficult transfer window due to their financial predicament, United have raised around £15m from sell-on clauses they included in contracts of academy products Anthony Elanga, Álvaro Carreras and Maxi Oyedele.
Early in the summer, United also seemingly tried to take advantage of their academy connection by exploring a move for one of their former talents.
Manchester United showed interest in re-signing Milinković-Savić
In May, Fabrizio Romano reported that United added Vanja Milinković-Savić to their shortlist of goalkeeper targets. The Red Devils also made “initial contacts” to understand the conditions of a possible deal.
Milinković-Savić spent 18 months in the club’s academy between 2014 and 2015 after joining United from Vojvodina in a deal worth £1.5 million.
However, the Serbian failed to make a senior appearance for the Mancunians after failing to get a work permit. Accordingly, he was released by United at 19.
Milinković-Savić has established himself as one of Serie A’s best goalkeepers, keeping a brilliant 10 clean sheets in 37 league appearances last term. The 28-year-old’s form and commanding style of goalkeeping led to interest from a host of clubs, including United and Napoli.
Napoli agree deal for Milinković-Savić
According to Romano, Napoli have won the race for the Torino goalkeeper.
Milinković-Savić has said “yes” to being part of Antonio Conte’s title-winning squad.
🚨🔵 Vanja Milinković-Savić to Napoli, here we go! Verbal agreement in place with Torino for Serbia goalkeeper to join Conte’s squad.
Milinković said yes to Napoli in June, fee worth €21m to Torino paid in four years. pic.twitter.com/qrjwG70fh3
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 25, 2025
The Serbia international’s contract in Turin includes a €19m release clause but Napoli have agreed to pay a fee of around €21m, a sum that will be paid over four years.
Manchester United keen on Emiliano Martínez
United, meanwhile, are focusing on Emiliano Martínez and Senne Lammens.
The Premier League giants have already made a loan proposal for the Argentina international. However, Aston Villa quickly rejected their offer, as they value their goalkeeper at £40m.
United are also interested in the highly-rated Royal Antwerp goalkeeper. Lammens, 23, is viewed as a possible replacement for Altay Bayındır, who faces an uncertain future under Ruben Amorim.
Featured image Paolo Bruno via Getty Images
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Vishal Singh
Vishal has worked in the football media industry for over six years, planning, writing, and editing content for several major outlets. Currently a writer at The Peoples Person, he covers Manchester United — a club he has been religiously following and supporting since 2012. Big fan of ball-playing centre-backs and Harry Maguire’s knee-slide celebration!
