DEAL AGREED: Manchester United is now set to confirm the signing of £59m word class player, personal terms agreed as player wants to be part of Ten Hag project next season

Manchester United Nears Signing of £59m Star Player; Personal Terms Settled as Player Joins Ten Hag’s Vision

The transfer market often resembles a game of dominos, where the fall of one piece influences the others, leading to a chain reaction that can either facilitate or complicate business dealings.

In recent times, we’ve seen how these dominos can topple in different ways. For instance, Everton’s sale of Amadou Onana to Aston Villa complicated their efforts to secure Jarrad Branthwaite. Conversely, a favorable domino effect seems to be on the horizon for Manchester United in their pursuit of Paris Saint-Germain’s Manuel Ugarte.

Manuel Ugarte’s Potential Move

It’s well known that after Manchester United secured Joshua Zirkzee and Leny Yoro, their next target is Manuel Ugarte. This move aligns perfectly with United’s strategic goals. However, the club’s financial limitations prevent them from spending lavishly, especially after their significant investment in Yoro.

Paris Saint-Germain values Ugarte at approximately £59 million, a sum currently beyond United’s financial reach. This has prompted United to explore innovative solutions, such as proposing a loan with an option to buy.

Yet, the transfer dynamics could shift in United’s favor due to PSG’s emerging interest in Jadon Sancho. Sancho, who recently regained form under Erik ten Hag, has reportedly received a contract proposal from PSG and is considering the move.

The Domino Effect

If PSG and United both express a mutual interest in swapping Sancho for Ugarte, it might streamline the process. A cooperative approach could see United conceding a slight discount on Sancho’s fee, while PSG could expedite Ugarte’s transfer by reducing their asking price.

The Complexities of Swap Deals

Despite the apparent benefits, swap deals in football are rare due to their inherent complexity. Managing the multiple components involved in such deals is challenging, which is why clubs often prefer separate transactions. This method also helps with Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations, as incoming funds can be immediately recorded, while outgoing expenses are amortized over the player’s contract duration.

For example, if United secures around £40 million for Sancho, they could allocate approximately £50 million for Ugarte. Given that Ugarte would likely sign a five-year contract, his annual book value would be around £10 million, making it feasible for United to balance the books with the Sancho fee.

Similarly, PSG could use the funds from Sancho’s sale to finance the acquisition of Joao Neves. Additionally, the involvement of Xavi Simons, whom United might also be interested in, adds another layer of intrigue to the negotiations.

A Mutually Beneficial Arrangement

Ultimately, both PSG and United are deeply interconnected in this transfer window, making it advantageous for them to collaborate and negotiate in good faith. This cooperation could lead to a mutually beneficial outcome, enabling both clubs to achieve their respective goals while adhering to financial constraints.