Manchester United could be boosted by a sell-on fee this summerManchester United could be boosted by a sell-on fee this summer
Manchester United could be boosted by a sell-on fee this summer | Getty Images
Man Utd are set to receive a windfall in the summer transfer window from a sell-on clause.
Manchester United are set to receive a timely transfer windfall in the summer window thanks to a sell-on clause they included in a deal a year ago. Ruben Amorim's side are still not sure of their final budget for the forthcoming window due to the fact they could secure Champions League qualification tomorrow night.
United had originally budgeted for the summer with the expectation they would not have European football, something that will change if they beat Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League final. It is estimated United would earn £100m from Champions League qualification and they could be about to receive another huge financial boost as well.
Fabrizio Romano claims former United defender Alvaro Carreras Fernandez 'wants to join' Real Madrid this summer and has 'already agreed' terms over a move. The 22-year-old has a £42 million release clause in his current deal, which also includes a sell-on clause for United.
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United set for budget boost
Benfica paid Manchester United €6 million plus committed a further €3 million in potential add-ons to sign Alvaro Fernandez Carreras from 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 expected to profit even more from the sell-on clause that was included in his sale. It is understood United would receive somewhere between 40% and 50% of his future fee, meaning they could earn between £16.8 million and £20 million if a team were to trigger his Benfica release clause this summer.
Taking to social media on Tuesday morning, transfer guru Fabrizio Romano issued an update on the full-back's future, in what would be a big boost for Ruben Amorim. "Alvaro Carreras wants to join Real Madrid and his plan has not changed," he posted on X. "No bid or club to club talks yet but understand Real will approach Benfica after Taça de Portugal final to reach an agreement. Carreras has already agreed terms with Real."
'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 really 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 Mason Greenwood could both be on the move, it is a transfer strategy that is hard to argue against.
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