Manchester United Transfer Deal Sheet: 2024 Summer Window Edition
It’s been a brilliant window for Manchester United for a number of reasons, and INEOS deserve a lot of credit for their role in putting it together. Four signings have been made in the shape of Leny Yoro, Joshua Zirkzee, Matthijs De Ligt, and Noussair Mazraoui, with the potential for one more to come through the door in Manuel Ugarte. The overall fees paid for those four players come to €164 million, with the signing of Ugarte anticipated to be a loan deal with an obligation to buy, pushing the funding for the transfer back to next summer.
The new regime has been patient. They have refused to pay over the odds, sticking to their own valuations throughout, despite their clear desire to bring certain players in. Jarrad Branthwaite was a huge example of this. United admire Branthwaite and see him as someone who could reshape their defence for years to come, but Everton were clear and stern on their valuation throughout the window.
Yoro, De Ligt, Zirkzee, Mazraoui – United Summer 2024
The Blue’s were adamant they would not sell for any less than £75 million and used Harry Maguire, Wesley Fofana, and Josko Gvardiol’s price tags in recent years as reasons to believe that Branthwaite was worth the amount they demanded. United made bids and tried to test Everton’s resolve, but in the end they did not budge, and neither would United.
It’s fair to assume that in the days gone by, the club would have pandered to the demands of Everton and paid £75 million plus for the player. But they chose not to, instead identifying a clever deal for Leny Yoro at £51 million while also profiling Matthijs De Ligt as a defender to bring in, someone who has been on the list internally at the club dating back to when he left Ajax for Juventus.
De Ligt and Yoro were just two players on a long list of targets defensively at the club. Ousmane Diomande was someone the club admired hugely, and talks took place during the summer transfer window as well as prior to it, but never advanced to the stage of proposals or offers. Sporting have a hefty release clause in the contract of the player, which made any potential deal unlikely due to United’s financial situation. Elsewhere, contact was made for Mohamed Simikan from RB Leipzig, but again, it never advanced beyond the initial contacts, with Tottenham also still maintaining an interest in the defender late into the window.
The decision to bring in Joshua Zirkzee was made clear at the beginning of the window. The pure need for a centre-forward was something Erik ten Hag stressed at various times throughout the season last year, with Anthony Martial’s injury issues a real worry for the Dutchman. As soon as Martial moved on, the club knew signings would have to be made in that area, profiling Zirkzee as their main target as soon as the window opened and doing everything they could to beat AC Milan to his signature.
Elsewhere, Karim Konate from RB Salzburg was another striker on the list that both United and Liverpool took a keen look at throughout last season. Interest was registered, and he remains on an internal list at United for now, as well as at Liverpool.
Noussair Mazraoui was a deal that became likely when West Ham United registered an interest in Aaron Wan-Bissaka. Initially, a left-back was a more pressing issue and something the club was set to put money aside to bring in, but the fact that Wan-Bissaka was leaving meant a player like Mazraoui, who could play both left and right back, made perfect sense. United were offered Ben Chilwell during the window and had interest in players like Bradley Locko from Stade Reims at early junctures in June. They have now decided against pursuing a deal for a player in that position, trusting Dalot, Luke Shaw, and Mazraoui, while also being hopeful of Tyrell Malacia returning to fitness after 16 months on the sidelines with a knee injury.
In terms of midfielders, Youssouf Fofana was a name we reported Manchester United had interest in as far back as May, and they indeed did. Contact was made with the representatives of Fofana back in May, with conversations ongoing between the club and entourage. United, however, out of the three clubs most interested in Fofana, never made their interest formal or made a proposal at any stage. Fofana liked United, and viewed them as a legendary club, but his preference was always to play Champions League football with AC Milan, and he has gotten his wish now with the deal confirmed. Sander Berge was also someone admired by United, and absolutely a Plan B should a deal for Ugarte fall apart, but they never made their interest formal yet again, with Ugarte being the player they wanted since day one.
Exequiel Palacios is admired, and has been for some time. Leverkusen view him as a key part of their upcoming Champions League campaign however, making any potential deal difficult. Ederson is also a player United like, along with Liverpool, but any deal this summer is heavily unlikely due to Atalanta’s insistence to keep the player as well as their financial demands.
Sales To Be Made:
In terms of outgoings, so far, the club has approved the sales of Donny Van De Beek, Mason Greenwood, Wan-Bisakka, Willy Kambwala, Alvaro Fernandez, and Omari Forson, totalling around €60 million in total. This is the most the club has made in a single window since the 19/20 season, which was largely funded in full by the €74 million sale of Romelu Lukaku. United could, however, surpass that amount in the days that remain in the window. Hannibal Mejbri is expected to leave the club, with Burnley currently pushing for a loan with an obligation to buy. Scott McTominay could also still leave despite turning down a move to Fulham, with Napoli having concrete interest in a deal for the Scottish midfielder. United are holding out for around €30 million.
Christian Eriksen has also been offered to Ajax, as per Laurie Whitwell, in a deal that could earn United around €5 million. Jadon Sancho could also still leave the club, with interest from PSG remaining as well as admiration from Chelsea within the Premier League, among other clubs. United are open to allowing Jadon to leave and are also willing to listen to offers for Victor Lindelof. Lindelof is injured at the moment, which makes any potential exit from the club difficult.
Will Fish is leaving the club on a permanent deal too, as will Maxi Oyedele, who is set to join Legia Warsaw in Poland.
A deal for Manuel Ugarte is moving closer, with the player fully open to joining the club. A permanent deal was the preference and could still happen, but right now, a loan with an obligation is more likely. Ugarte is waiting for both clubs to finally agree on the structure of a deal, in a situation that has left him frustrated with PSG, believing he deserves a lot better than the way he has been treated.
If United can seal the deal, it will mark the true beginning of a new era under the guidance of INEOS, with five new first-team faces in the door for under €100 million.
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