Manchester United ‘only paid the full asking price for one of their five summer signings’ thanks to work done by Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s ‘Avengers’
- Manchester United only paid full price for one of their signings this summer
- Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s ‘Avengers’ were disciplined in the way they approached deals
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Manchester United have reportedly paid only the full asking price for one of their five summer signings.
United signed striker Joshua Zirkzee from Bologna for £36.5million, while defender Leny Yoro joined from Lille for a fee of £52million.
In addition, defenders Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui both joined from Bayern Munich in a double transfer worth £60million, before midfielder Manuel Ugarte joined from PSG on the closing day for £50.5million.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s ‘Avengers’ of CEO Omar Berrada, sporting director Dan Ashworth and technical director Jason Wilcox ensured that United had more leverage in deal negotiations. Director of football negotiations Matt Hargreaves also played a key role.
United manager Erik ten Hag was keen to add reinforcements in various positions on the pitch.
Manchester United reportedly paid just the full asking price for one of their summer signings
Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Avengers, including CEO Omar Berrada, oversaw United’s transfer activities
According to ESPNYoro, who joined from Lille for £52million, was the only player for whom United paid their full asking price this summer.
Berrada explained United’s approach to ESPN: ‘We were quite disciplined in the ratings we gave to the players that were coming in.
“We stuck to those valuations. The reason I say that is because if you make a mistake and overspend, or bring in a player who can cost you too much, it can cost you back.”
De Ligt and Mazraoui signed a double deal worth £60m, Zirkzee cost £36.5m and Ugarte arrived for £50.5m.
United were concerned about the ongoing financial implications of the arrivals of Casemiro and Antony in 2022, for the latter of whom United paid more than £80m.
United targeted Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite, who they valued at between £50m and £60m. After the Toffees mentioned a fee of £75m, United eventually walked away from the deal.
If Everton had lowered their demands, United would have gone ahead with the deal for the centre-back.
Leny Yoro, who cost £52m from Lille, was the only player to pay the full asking price
Defenders Matthijs De Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui joined United from Bayern Munich
United have also signed talented young striker Joshua Zirkzee from Bologna
Midfielder Manuel Ugarte signed for United from Paris Saint-Germain on deadline day
Berrada was pleased with the players United had signed and the way negotiations were going.
He said: ‘We need to do more of what we’ve done in this window. We’ve addressed priority positions that were identified very early on and we’ve been able to do that in a financially sustainable way. I think Dan and the team have done a fantastic job in the negotiation process.’
