Tyrell Malacia has been offered an escape from Old Trafford as a “concrete offer” has been tabled for the Manchester United defender, according to a report from Holland.
The Forgotten Dutchman
United are desperate to sell Malacia, 25, this summer with the left-back designated as part of Ruben Amorim’s ‘bomb squad’ – a list of four players, including Malacia, Marcus Rashford, Antony and Jadon Sancho, who all have no future under the Portuguese coach.
Malacia spent the second half of last season on loan at PSV Eindhoven after it became clear he had dropped down the pecking order.
It marked a move back to his homeland after he had joined United from Feyenoord in 2022 under Erik ten Hag in a deal worth around £13 million.
But, despite PSV going on to win the Eredivisie title ahead of Ajax on a dramatical final day, the Dutch champions chose not to sign the defender permanently, and he instead returned to Manchester last month.
Voetbal International contends “several European clubs have already inquired about Malacia’s status” with 25-year-old retaining a “strong international profile”, despite his struggles in England.
However, the report reveals the first “concrete offer” has now arrived – but not from a European side.
An Offer from Saudi Arabia
Voetbal International reports an unidentified Saudi Pro League club have tabled an offer to Malacia last Friday.
He is said to be “considering” the proposal and, if he communicates a willingness to make the move to the Middle East, a “multi-million offer will follow immediately.”
This development will be music to the ears of executives at Old Trafford given Malacia’s difficulties in recent years with injury and a lack of form made a permanent exit seem unlikely.
A move to Saudi Arabia would offer the Dutchman a pay rise and a less physical league to compete in, while providing United with a transfer fee, however modest, for a player with no future with the Red Devils.
Malacia’s contract expires next year, though United retain an automatic twelve-month extension, meaning he would have to be sold for a minimum of £3.25 million this summer to not incur a negative FFP hit based on his remaining book value.
At that price, the Saudi Pro League would be receiving a European footballer with Champions League and international experience from one of the biggest clubs in the world in his prime. Whether he is actually capable of producing on the pitch would be a secondary concern for the PIF.
Featured image Justin Setterfield 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.
