Al-Nassr negotiating £200 million deal for world-class Manchester United Play Maker. Saudi Arabia are creating quite a stir
John Murtough, the football director of Manchester United, is said to have travelled to Saudi Arabia to talk about possible player exits from Old Trafford in an effort to raise money before the January transfer window opens.
Four important players—Jadon Sancho, Raphael Varane, Anthony Martial, and Casemiro—are available for bids from the club. Murtough conversed with Saudi Pro League representatives but departed without concluding anything, setting up more talks.
Man Utd paid £230 million in transfer fees for these four players combined, and the team is trying to recover as much of that money as they can, especially by trying to unload Sancho. Sancho was left out of the first team lineup due to a falling out with manager Erik ten Hag.
The club will not actively pursue Martial, Varane, or Casemiro, but they are open to offers. After losing in the Champions League group stages, the club has had a dismal season and wants to improve. Financial limitations force the sale of existing players before making any new ones, which is exacerbated by recent big deals.
Given that Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Ineos money is about to arrive, Murtough might neglect his last transfer window. Ratcliffe’s 25% takeover intends to restructure football operations, which can result in managerial changes at the team.
Dougie Freedman, the sports director of Crystal Palace, and Jean-Claude Blanc, a former Juventus official with connections to Ineos, are strong contenders to head future moves.
