Cristiano Ronaldo could be set to earn Manchester United an additional £40 million this summer, as he works on a deal to help a former player join him in Saudi Arabia.
Manchester United are yet to raise any real transfer funds this summer, having only let Marcus Rashford move, but his deal is only a loan deal for the time being. Rúben Amorim may need to sell more players before adding new additions to his squad.
The other four players remaining in United’s “Bomb Squad” will be the next on the outgoing list, but selling the outcasts could be difficult as Amorim has made it clear he doesn’t want any of those players, despite one playing a key role for him last season.
Alejandro Garnacho will raise the most funds from his departure as interest is thought to be high, but the Argentine is yet to receive an official offer from any Premier League sides, despite making it clear he wants to stay in England’s top flight.
Antony could be set for another loan move if a bid doesn’t arrive soon, although he has the potential to play a role in Amorim’s system, on the right of the four-man midfield, competing for minutes with Amad and Diogo Dalot.
However, it could be the players who have already left the club that could earn the most money for United. Anthony Elanga’s move to Newcastle United, Alvaro Carreas’ move to Real Madrid and Maxi Oyedele’s transfer to Strasbourg will have raised United close to £20 million in sell-on clauses inserted in the contracts when they left Old Trafford.
Greenwood could join Ronaldo in Saudi Arabia
When Mason Greenwood left United, the transfer team ensured that they inserted a sell-on clause in his contract because of how high his potential was, and the Red Devils could be set to benefit from this smart business this summer.
The sell-on percentage in Greenwood’s contract is 50% of the total sale, meaning that if the former England international leaves Marseille for a transfer fee, United will receive half of that transfer fee.
The former No.11 has been linked with a shock move to Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr, with Marseille demanding £85 million for the right winger, reports talkSPORT. This would earn United upwards of £40 million.
Ronaldo could be joined in Saudi Arabia by Greenwood as the latter looks to continue his career away from England, while impressing on the pitch. According to the Spanish outlet Marca, Ronaldo wants Greenwood to join him this summer.
Jhon Duran left Al Nassr this summer to move back to Europe, and the Saudi club are yet to replace the former Aston Villa star.
Recently, Marseille’s sporting director said, “We want to keep him [Greenwood] and consider him a key part of OM’s project for the upcoming season,” but Al Nassr’s offer could be too much for the club and the forward to turn down.
The French club have already signed Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang this summer, potentially a replacement for Greenwood if he does look to move to Saudi Arabia. It could all come down to the contract that Al Nassr presents to the former United forward.
United to reinvest £40m into Amorim’s squad
Despite impressing during pre-season, there are still areas of Amorim’s squad that the manager will want to improve, for example, in defensive midfield. Manuel Ugarte and Casemiro have both struggled to nail down that position, and a new player could be the sensible solution.
Bruno Fernandes and Kobbie Mainoo will likely share the minutes on the other side of the double pivot, but a new addition on their side has also not been ruled out. Amorim may favour two more defensive players to give United more stability, with Amad and Patrick Dorgu providing an attacking threat from the wing.
Alternatively, United could move for a new goalkeeper to replace the injured Andre Onana, with Aston Villa’s Emiliano Martínez at the top of the list.
Altay Bayindir could also still leave United before the end of the transfer window, although, at this rate, he will be starting against Arsenal in the opening Premier League match.
While United have clearly chosen Benjamin Sesko as the main transfer target, after a bid went in on Tuesday, another striker could still be signed, with Ollie Watkins believed to be valued at close to £40 million.
Make sure to follow UtdDistrict on X, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok to never miss out on any of our Manchester United content. Our podcast, What the Devil?, is streamed live every Thursday at 12:30 pm (BST) on the United View YouTube channel.