A move away from Old Trafford is increasingly likely for Tyrell Malacia, with Scottish giants Celtic looking like his next destination. A potential deal however hinges on one factor that they may not be able to meet.
Tyrell Malacia’s time at Manchester United was one riddled with injuries, and despite coming back to fitness as Ruben Amorim took over in November, the lack of game time he would get under the new coach was apparent.
The 25-year-old was sent on loan back to the Netherlands, joining PSV Eindhoven on a six-month loan, and with United signing Patrick Chinazaekpere Dorgu in the same window, Malacia’s future most likely lies outside of Manchester.
After winning the Eredivisie title with PSV, starting just six games, the Dutch side confirmed that they wouldn’t trigger a £9 million option to buy that was included in the loan deal.
With most of United’s transfer business this summer hinging on selling players deemed surplus to requirements, Malacia has found himself on the chopping block, with Scottish giants Celtic seemingly interested in a deal for the left-back.
Wages a major factor in negotiations
Despite signing former player Kieran Tierney to fill in at left-back, Celtic are seemingly fancying more depth in that position, with Greg Taylor leaving the club, but it’s unclear if Celtic will be able to complete a move for Malacia.
Speaking on the Inside Track, transfer correspondent Pete O’Rourke wasn’t optimistic that the Scottish club could afford a deal unless United subsidised his wages for a loan deal.
“It’ll be a struggle for Celtic to meet his wages unless Manchester United subsidise them – that’s probably the only way a potential deal could happen”, he told Football Insider.
“He is one of those players that Manchester United are openly willing to sell; he’s been allowed to return late for pre-season to try and sort out his future.
“Celtic would be an attractive proposition for someone like Malacia next season – but they’ve got Kieran Tierney back at Celtic Park this year as well.
“You’d imagine Tierney would be a starter when fit for Brendan Rodgers, so I’m not sure Malacia will be too keen on moving to a club where he’s not guaranteed minutes either.”
United need to offload their want-away players
While wingers such as Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho, and Jadon Sancho will be among the players that Amorim will be desperate to get off the books rather than Malacia, United still need to sell players in order to conduct more business this summer.
Going into pre-season, Amorim would have been desperate to have most of his new squad assembled and unwanted players sold. This is so that he could work towards his first full Premier League season with his desired team.
The fact that not one player has been sold is very concerning, and with only Matheus Cunha signed as of yet, despite the imminent transfer of Bryan Mbeumo, Amorim will have little time to embed his new signings into his side as the start of the 2025/26 campaign gets closer.
If the Red Devils have to subsidise wages for a potential Malacia move to Celtic, or any of his want-away players, Amorim simply has to accept that compromise, as recent poor transfer business has once again come back to haunt United.
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