Manchester United are about to get some transfer income for the first time this summer, but it will come as a disappointment to fans and leave question marks over one of the first deals made by INEOS at the club.
According to A Bola (this morning’s paper edition, page 4), Real Madrid and Benfica have finally arrived at a formula for the transfer of former United academy star Alvaro Carreras, with just the final details to be ironed out.
United’s strange decision United sold the young Spaniard to the Portuguese giants for €6 million plus add-ons last summer when a compulsory buy clause was triggered following a successful loan period at the Estadio da Luz.
Many fans questioned at the time why the club would allow such a clearly talented youngster leave at all, and so cheaply.
In truth, Carreras never seemed to appeal to the then manager, Erik ten Hag, with question marks hanging over his defensive acumen.
The Galician’s real strength is going forward, making him excel as a wing back and therefore perfect for Ten Hag’s successor, Ruben Amorim, and his preferred 3-4-3 formation.
United had a €20 million buy-back clause in the contract. Many thought the club would exercise that in January, but they bought Patrick Dorgu for Amorim instead.
It is unknown whether that was because the club still had doubts over the 22 year old, or whether he refused to return.
What was known in January was that Real Madrid were lining up a summer move, but they would have to pay the €50 million release clause to get their hands on the marauding wing back.
There was even speculation that it would be worth buying the player back at €20 million just then in order to sell him to Real for €50m, earning the Red Devils a €30 million income in the process.
Never mind, fans thought, we have a 40% sell-on clause so we’ll make €20 million when Real pull the trigger.
Wrong.
For what United are about to receive, may Sir Jim make us truly thankful It emerged around three weeks ago as the Merengues got into negotiations with the Eagles that, in fact, United’s sell-on percentage is only 20%, not 40%.
Now, A Bola reports that an amount under that release clause is in the process of being accepted.
“Real Madrid has shown an openness to paying €45 million and, in order to reach what Benfica wants, the remaining amount could be reached through negotiation of other costs associated with the transfer, such as the percentage that Carreras’ agent, Ginés Carvajal, will receive,” A Bola explains.
“There is confidence on all sides that the deal will be done.”
This leaves United’s share of the income at just €9 million (£7.7 million).
Although better than a stab in the eye with a sharp stick, the figure leaves a bitter taste in the mouth and a sense of what could have been. In truth, many United fans could see what Real see in the young Spaniard right from the off and will never understand how he was allowed to leave, let alone for such a paltry sum of money.
Feature image Carlos Rodrigues via Getty Images
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Red Billy Red Billy is the managing editor of The Peoples Person, author of three books and totally obsessed with football’s transfer market. Billy still insists Matteo Darmian and Alex Telles could have made it at United given half a chance.
