Manchester United’s management is aiming to revamp Erik ten Hag’s squad during the January transfer window, given the team’s current standing at seventh in the Premier League.
John Murtough, United’s football director, traveled to Saudi Arabia earlier this month with intentions to offload some of the club’s underperforming players. Reports suggest Murtough engaged with Saudi Pro League officials regarding the potential sales of Jadon Sancho, Raphael Varane, Anthony Martial, and Casemiro. However, he reportedly left without securing any deals.
The summer signings by Saudi clubs, including prominent names like Karim Benzema, N’Golo Kante, Jordan Henderson, Sadio Mane, and Ruben Neves, have filled their overseas quotas, making it challenging but not impossible for them to bring in new talent in January.
Despite potential reluctance from Saudi clubs, Murtough is expected to continue attempts to sell the mentioned quartet in January. The meeting with Saudi officials aimed to establish relationships that could facilitate future transfers, possibly in the upcoming summer.
The Daily Mail revealed Murtough’s clandestine meeting, emphasizing Sancho’s situation. The England international, who fell out with manager Erik ten Hag in September, has not featured since. Despite his previous success, scoring 38 goals and providing 51 assists in 104 Bundesliga games, Sancho has struggled to replicate that form in the Premier League, scoring only nine times since joining United for £73 million in July 2021.
Although Sancho, 23, still has a promising career ahead and two-and-a-half years left on his contract, United might find it challenging to recoup the entire £73 million investment, especially considering his substantial weekly wage of £350,000.
United faces financial pressure due to concerns about breaching Premier League financial regulations. The club was fined nearly £260,000 by UEFA for a ‘minor break-even deficit’ and spent close to £200 million on new signings during the summer.
Regarding Casemiro, it’s expected to be difficult for United to regain a significant portion of the £70 million they paid for him from Real Madrid just 16 months ago, especially considering his form and fitness issues. Saudi clubs might be the most viable destination given their past spending, but recouping transfer fees for Martial and Varane, both nearing the end of their contracts, could prove challenging. Martial, 28, has scored 12 Premier League goals since September 2020, despite being one of United’s longest-serving players. Varane, 30, signed from Real Madrid for £42 million in August 2021, has faced struggles with form and fitness since his arrival.