David Ornstein has delivered a positive update on Manchester United’s current plan for the summer window amid fears of a lack of funds for Rúben Amorim.
As Manchester United prepare for the upcoming summer transfer window, Rúben Amorim faces a significant task in addressing several gaps within his squad.
Reports have suggested that up to 10 senior players could be leaving Old Trafford this summer, including Marcus Rashford, Antony, and Casemiro, in a bid to generate funds for new signings.
With these finances, the club is reportedly keen on bringing in a new striker, a deep-lying midfielder, an attacking midfielder, a left wing-back, and a goalkeeper, with a centre-back also on the list of priorities.
However, given United’s current financial struggles, it is expected that the club will focus on securing value-for-money signings rather than splashing out on top-tier talent with hefty price tags.
Ornstein hands positive transfer update
Amid a sense of unease surrounding United’s summer finances, The Athletic transfer specialist David Ornstein has offered a positive update surrounding the funds they have available to serve Amorim.
The award-winning journalist explained that the club will have “room to manoeuvre” this summer, which is a piece of news all United fans will be happy to hear amid the need for significant improvements between June and August.
“While Man United will be formulating plans their budgets will be heavily influenced by factors such as European qualification and exits,” Ornstein explained in his recent Athletic Q&A session when asked if United would be able to splash cash on big names like strikers Viktor Gyökeres or Victor Osimhen.
“We expect them to have room to manoeuvre in the market, but there will definitely be some caution when it comes to splashing big money on big names as we’ve seen in the past.
“That’s not to say they won’t be able to do it, more that we’re hearing their preference will be to continue what has been seem more recently; younger talents costing lower transfer fees and salaries, who fit Rúben Amorim’s system/style and can develop into top players with increased market value.
“So I’d imagine there will be further recruits along the lines you mention, rather than the likes of Gyökeres and Osimhen. Please don’t hold me to that because you never know in this unpredictable industry, but that is the direction of travel being explained to us.”
Ratcliffe is looking to emulate three previous signings
Amid Ornstein’s claim that the club will be looking to secure younger talents who can be signed for lower fees and on a lower wage before being built into high-level stars, co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe is said to have identified three previous transfers he would like the club to emulate in the coming years.
One of these is club captain Bruno Fernandes. Despite signing for a significant fee in January 2020, his initial wage was a relatively modest £110,000-a-week. However, the player agreed to higher salaries once he demonstrated that he was worthy of earning over £250,000-a-week.
Another player the club brought in on a similar contract structure is Amad. Initially earning just under £30,000-a-week when he first joined, Amad signed a new deal worth an estimated £120,000-a-week after proving his worth to the team.
In addition, Ratcliffe is reportedly targeting the signing of Patrick Dorgu as a key acquisition for United moving forward.
At just 20 years old, Dorgu is an exciting talent. He has quickly adapted to life at United following a tough negotiation with Serie A side Lecce, where the club secured him for around £25 million despite an initial asking price of over £33 million.
Similar to the other two players, Dorgu’s starting wage is a more modest £40,000-a-week. However, if he performs well, it’s expected that he will be rewarded with a pay increase in due time.
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