Manchester United have not been afraid to state their intentions during Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s first summer transfer window.
The Red Devils, who had been hamstrung by Financial Fair Play (FFP) concerns last January, have been eager to splash the cash ahead of the 2024/25 season and have already parted with some hefty sums for new recruits.
Their summer business is unlikely to have finished as Man Utd look to right the wrongs of a largely dismal 2023/24 campaign, but facilitating lucrative deals won’t be straightforward as they look to comply with FFP regulations.
The Red Devils have been proactive in reinforcing their squad this summer and have already seen Leny Yoro and Joshua Zirkzee arrive at Old Trafford. The former made his debut in a recent friendly victory over Rangers and set Man Utd back an initial £42m from Lille, with a potential £10m in add-ons. The 18-year-old is one for the present and the future.
The new number nine that Man Utd were unable to afford in the winter window has been secured this summer, with Bologna’s Zikzee making the move to join Dutch compatriot Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford. The young forward cost the club slightly more than his £34m release clause as it allowed them to pay the fee over multiple instalments.
Man Utd have recouped some of the money spent on Yoro and Zirkzee during the the transfer window, with four significant player sales. Mason Greenwood is the largest sale in terms of money acquired, with his £26.6m move to Marseille freeing up funds.
Young academy prospects Willy Kambwala and Alvaro Fernandez have joined Villarreal and Benfica respectively, with fees received reaching a combined £11.4m. Forgotten Dutchman Donny van de Beek has also left the club to join Girona, initially earning Man Utd just £420,000. However, he could cost the Spanish side up to £16.9m in performance-related add-ons, many of which are considered fairly achievable.
Man Utd continue to be linked with a host of high-profile names, including the likes of Manuel Ugarte, Matthijs de Ligt and Jarrad Branthwaite. But can they sign these players without breaching FFP rules?
Football finance expert Dave Powell has suggested Man Utd must sell players before they can commit to spending on transfers. The Red…
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at 90min EN…