Manchester United plan to raise more than £200million by selling five first-team players this summer to hand Ruben Amorim a transfer war chest, according to reports. Amorim desperately needs financial backing to reshape his squad at the end of the worst Premier League season in the club’s history.
However, United are already under pressure to comply with the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules (PSR) and Financial Fair Play (FFP). A failure to qualify for the Champions League by lifting the Europa League in May would restrict the Red Devils’ spending power further. Yet, in a summer where player sales will prove crucial for Amorim to recruit, five stars are being lined up for exits to boost the budget.
According to the Guardian, United are pushing to sign Wolves forward Matheus Cunha and also want Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap.
Cunha has a £62.5m release clause at Molineux, while Delap will be available for £30m once Ipswich’s relegation to the Championship is confirmed.
The report claims that offloading Marcus Rashford could fund both deals in itself. Aston Villa have a £40m option to buy the 27-year-old this summer, and United will seek a similar fee if that clause isn’t triggered.
Removing £365,000-a-week that Rashford is owed across the final three years of his contract from the wage bill would save a further £56m.
United also hope to raise £25m from selling Jadon Sancho, preferably by Chelsea triggering their obligation to buy.
However, if the Blues pay a £5m fee to send Sancho back to Old Trafford with his tail between his legs, he will be slapped with a £20m price tag.
The M16 giants will also demand £30m to part ways with struggling striker Rasmus Hojlund, the same fee they hope to land for Antony.
The Brazilian has reignited his career at Real Betis and is bound to feature on numerous transfer shortlists among overseas clubs this summer.
Casemiro’s recent renaissance isn’t said to have deterred United’s plans to remove his £370,000-a-week salary from the equation, either.
Yet, given the 33-year-old has just one year left on his contract, any fee received for him this summer is expected to be nominal.
The disappearance of Casemiro’s eye-watering salary alone would make the move worth it, though, and allow Amorim to target a midfielder more suited to his high-octane system.
United’s reportedly planned business is easier said than done, especially for a club with as bad a selling record as the 20-time English champions.
But if Amorim gets his way, he could enter his first full campaign as head coach with a new-look squad at his disposal.
