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How much will Manchester United have to spend in the summer transfer window?
Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s investment makes sure that their concerns with Financial Fair Play and Profit and Sustainability Rules is a bit relieved.
However, the Glazers’ legacy ensures it still wouldn’t go into exorbitant territory but a certain report makes the bold prediction of that assessment being incorrect.
Nacional report, as quoted by football365, that Jorge Mendes is trying to bring his marquee client Rafael Leao to Old Trafford in the summer for a mind-boggling sum.
The report states that the move would cost close to £150 million, a sum that United are reportedly “willing to pay”.
Considering that Leao is mainly a right-footed left-winger and United have plenty of those, especially if Jadon Sancho has a future at United, this report seems slightly ambitious.
It states that Mendes’ influence is key in this, which might very well be true since he has had a hand in many marquee transfers in and out of United in history.
Cristiano Ronaldo comes to mind, of course, but his handprints have been all over many other deals at United so adding another to that list isn’t a far-fetched idea.
However, considering the sums at play here and his uneasy fit within the squad positionally or tactically, the report might be taken with a pinch of salt.
Still, there is no smoke without fire and if only a part of this report is correct and United do have a budget higher than most thought, then United fans can look forward to a good window.
Moves have already started with the likes of Anthony Martial set to leave. With others following him and freeing up the wage bill, the winds of change are blowing at Old Trafford.
Whether they bring Leao with them in a move north of £150 million is an ambitious bet though, as it stands.
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