Manchester United appear to have a new more aggressive approach in the transfer window, especially compared to last year.
Nobody would described United’s summer transfer window in 2020 as a success, but amid the last ditch scramble to get deals done, the club might have stumbled upon a fruitful formula.
The deal for Alex Telles showed how United can extract maximum value from a deal. United pounced on Porto’s weak negotiating position to sign Telles for just £15.4 million, as he had just one year remaining on his contract.
While Telles has not been a super success at United yet, that’s mainly down to Luke Shaw’s form and availability. Had Shaw not been playing so well, there is a chance that Telles would be a viewed as a United fan favourite right now, he just simply has not had a regular run of games.
Regardless of Telles’ success or lack of it so far, the deal was low-risk at the price the club paid, and it set the tone for United’s path this summer.
Opportunistic United
United’s move for Sancho was the first step. With just two years left on the winger’s contract, the club managed to agree a fee of £72.9 million, great value compared to the price Dortmund were demanding last summer.
It is the next two deals United are looking at that really have echoes of the Telles move.
Top targets Raphael Varane [ESPN] and Eduardo Camavinga [Guardian] both have just one year remaining on their contracts.
This could enable United to sign both players at substantially less than their true market value. The Mail reports they could cost a combined £75 million. While this is big money, it’s cheap for them both.
Transfermarkt value Varane at £63 million and Camavinga £49.5 million, a combined £112.5 million, highlighting the savings United stand to make.
No more overpaying
This seems like a deliberate strategy from United. For years the club have overpaid for players. Harry Maguire cost £80 million, in part because he signed a new Leicester City contract one year before the club bought him.
United appear to be acting a little smarter now, in terms of players the club is targeting.
This will be partly a product of the pandemic. United have made huge losses over the past year and have to spend funds wisely. But really this should have been happening for years.
The Telles deal pointed the way, with United signing a title winning left-back for a bargain price. Now the club are following it up by looking to conclude more good value deals. Both Varane and Camavinga are top players at different stages of their careers who could prove to be very good acquisitions if United can get them over the line.
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