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Manchester United are set to receive another transfer windfall | Manchester World
Man Utd will have their budget boosted by several deals in the summer transfer window.
Manchester United are set to receive another transfer windfall from the proposed sale of one of their former players in the summer window. Alvaro Fernandez Carreras never made a senior appearance during his time at Old Trafford, but he has since made 64 for Portuguese giants Benfica.
It has been a whirlwind rise for the 22-year-old, who now looks set to join Real Madrid in the coming weeks and earn his former club a sizeable sell-on fee to boost their summer budget. Carreras has a £42 million release clause in his current contract, though it is suggested Madrid could agree to pay a lower fee to sign him this summer.
Taking to social media on Tuesday afternoon, transfer guru Fabrizio Romano wrote: "Real Madrid and Benfica are now closing in on the agreement for Álvaro Carreras! Negotiations very advanced as Álvaro only wants Real Madrid, personal terms are sealed since June. The deal can be formally closed after the FIFA Club World Cup. Almost there."
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Real Madrid could hand Manchester United a huge boost
Benfica paid Manchester United €6 million plus committed a further €3 million in potential add-ons to sign Alvaro Fernandez Carreras last summer. It felt like a fairly low fee for a player of such potential, but United protected their interests when they negotiated a large sell-on clause and a buy-back option into the deal.
United have until next summer to activate their buy-back option for £16 million, though they are still set to profit from the sell-on clause that was included in his sale. It is understood United will receive 20% of the profit Benfica make on the deal, so if Fernandez moved for €40m in the summer window, United would earn a share of €34m, rather than the overall transfer fee. In that case it would equate to €6.8m, or roughly £5.87m.
It would be a healthy boost to United's finances in the summer transfer window at a time when they are estimated to receive a similar fee from Anthony Elanga's proposed move to Newcastle United. United never disclosed the specifics of the sell-on clause, but it is understood to be worth 15 percent of any profit made. It means if Newcastle sign Elanga for the proposed £55m fee, United would be entitled to a share of the £40m difference when you subtract the cost of signing him, rather than the overall deal.
'Smarter transfer strategy' paying off
It would be a huge boost to United's own transfer plans and only further vindicate their 'smarter' youth policy, which has seen the club become a lot more ruthless regarding academy graduates. United staff have suspected some players are going "stale and sour" if they stay at the club too long without getting an opportunity to play, and it would be better for all parties if they were moved on.
When it comes to transfer fees, United still look to get a fair price for their players where possible, but are also happy for the real value of a deal to be made up with future sell-on fees or buyback clauses. Though the initial fees might look a little underwhelming at times, it only takes one hefty transfer fee to be paid for United to land a significant windfall, such as in the case of Fernandez.
United could make even more money off their academy if they wanted to, but they are keen to strike the appropriate balance between nurturing young talent and the harsh business side of football that sees every individual as a market asset. In a summer when Fernandez and Elanga both look to be on the move, it is a transfer strategy that is hard to argue against.
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