Manchester United would normally not expect any help from Liverpool, especially in a transfer window, but a unique case might just have happened.
The transfer window is off to a hot start at Old Trafford with the signing of Matheus Cunha followed by a serious chase for Bryan Mbeumo.
Liverpool are arguably a step ahead, signing Ruben Amorim’s ‘perfect’ player Jeremie Frimpong, and close to making the deal of the window by signing Florian Wirtz.
The two clubs are clearly buying in different markets right now, but a connection has happened which could see Man Utd get a £40 million boost courtesy of Liverpool.
Photo by Joe Prior/Visionhaus via Getty Images
Photo by Joe Prior/Visionhaus via Getty Images
Liverpool hand Man Utd Marcus Rashford boost
As was expected, Marcus Rashford will be back at Carrington after Aston Villa chose not to exercise the buy option in his loan deal.
Much like Jadon Sancho, nobody will pay Rashford’s current United wages because they just don’t reflect the player that he is.
However, unlike Sancho, Rashford is at least attracting interest from European elites like Barcelona.
Barcelona’s director Deco has spoken about Rashford numerous times and they clearly see an opportunity here, even though United are not keen on another loan.
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Rashford’s dream is Barcelona too, and that’s where Liverpool enter the picture with their transfer stance on Luis Diaz.
The Athletic report that Liverpool have told Barcelona that Luis Diaz is “not for sale” clearly after the Catalans approached them for the Colombian.
Diaz is Barcelona’s primary target for the left-wing spot, where Rashford is one of the alternatives.
Having received a firm no on their prime target this early in the window, any competent club will start trying for the alternative, meaning United’s hand in Rashford negotiations just became stronger.
Man Utd need to hold firm over Marcus Rashford
Barcelona getting the door shut in their face over Diaz is good news for Man Utd but only if they hold firm over their stance.
If the loan spells of Sancho, Rashford, or even Antony have proven anything, it’s that it does nothing for the finances regardless of how the player does.
Much like Real Betis, Barcelona will push for a loan deal for Rashford which only kicks the can down the road instead of a permanent resolution.
Ineos can’t exactly be blamed for that since these are Glazer-era contracts that even the smartest negotiator will find difficult to shift.
However, they have to put their foot down at some point and take a short-term financial hit to ensure a long-term precedent is set.
Rashford can take a wage cut and Barcelona can cough up the finances to take him permanently, or he can waste a year of his career with the U21s, which he seems happy to do, and risk Barcelona never returning.
Liverpool’s rejection for Diaz has made United’s hand stronger.