Bru highlights why any deal for Sancho this summer
THE anticipation is growing steadily as United fans await news of their first summer arrival.
Ed Woodward and co. only have six days left to recruit their new No.7 if Borussia Dortmund are to stick to their self-imposed Jadon Sancho transfer deadline, but there is reason why the deal hasn’t been concluded yet. The early business conducted by both City and Chelsea has amplified the pressure on United to get a deal done briskly, but United are currently relaxed over the speed of the negotiations.
It is true United are keen to secure transfer targets faster than they have done previously under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer but there is careful forward planning behind their current methodical approach.
United are keen to pay for Sancho in a series of instalments with an initial base fee followed by performance related add-ons and future fees which will see them match Dortmund’s EUR120million asking price, but not all in one go.
United are looking to agree a deal that would include a high amount of performance add-ons to drive down the initial expenditure. Doing so would free up more money to spend this summer on strengthening the squad in other areas of the pitch as United look to build on their positive foundations to mount a serious Premier league title challenge next season.
Despite going into this summer’s unusual summer window in a better position than most, United accept it will be tricky to conclude as much business as they would have hoped
for, and the matter is only further complicated by the January arrival of Fernandes.
Speaking at the time the Fernandes deal was concluded, Solskjaer admitted signing Fernandes would have implications on United’s summer budget.
“Of course signings and expenditure will affect your budget,” he answered, before adding: “Of course it is,” when asked specifically if the money spent on Fernandes would otherwise have been part of United’s summer budget.
The deal to sign Fernandes paid for itself with the financial gain of returning to the Champions League next season, but his impact came at such a speed that United already owe Sporting Lisbon another £4.2m as a result of their top-four finish.
Qualification for the Champions League was worth £23m in adidas sponsorship money to United, so the club will likely have few gripes with having to pay Sporting an additional fee.
However, the deal to sign Fernandes comes as further evidence as to why structuring a payment plan for Sancho effectively is so important this summer.