A number of clubs are looking to take “advantage” of Manchester United’s precarious financial situation by offering “offering instant cash to buy ‘sell-on clauses’” from players signed in recent windows, according to a report.
The Red Devils have implemented a policy of including these clauses when agreeing sales to capitalise upon the potential of these players thriving at their new clubs.
Paying it Forward
The recent example of Mason Greenwood, who joined Marseille last summer in a £26.6 million deal, evidences this as the 23-year-old’s fine form in France has seen his transfer value more than double.
A sell-on clause entitling United to 50% of any profits the Ligue 1 side make from Greenwood’s future sale means the potential interest in the English forward from Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona could net the Reds a significant financial boost this summer, given the 23-year-old’s academy status at Old Trafford.
Similarly, Burnley’s deal to sign Hannibal Mejbri included a “sell-on worth initially 50 per cent” as the Tunisian international has firmly established himself in the heart of the promotion-chasing Championship side’s midfield.
If Scott Parker’s team were to miss out on promotion, however, Mejbri may be subject to interest from the Premier League or other teams across Europe. And, again, the 22-year-old is a Carrington academy product meaning a 50% share of his potential sale would be a treasure trove for United.
There are a host of other examples of this type of deal for ex-United players, both domestically and continentally.
Rivals Seeking to Take Advantage
However, The Telegraph reveals, the dire financial situation at Old Trafford means “multiple clubs are now considering bids to have the clauses removed – earning them more long-term money for an immediate outlay, while also helping ease United’s financial pressures.”
The report further states, “it is understood that clubs with signings from United going back previous seasons have been looking at buying the clauses immediately, rather than waiting closer to the June 30 deadline when all PSR figures are accounted for.”
The Red Devils owe £300 million in outstanding transfer debts. Of this amount, £168 million is due to be paid this year, meaning the club are investing that figure on transfers without even signing a player yet.
It’s this fraught financial situation which the club’s rivals are seeking to exploit. United will be receptive to any additional income, even if it means the Reds ultimately lose out on more money long-term as Ruben Amorim’s squad is in desperate need of investment now.
If the Portuguese coach is not given adequate funds to overhaul the current cohort of players at Old Trafford this summer, he is being set up to fail before a ball is even kicked next season.
Featured image Alex Livesey via Getty Images
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Darragh Fox
Darragh is a writer for The Peoples Person who spent three years as a history graduate slowly realising football was by far the most interesting thing to write about.
