Liverpool’s expected sale of Fabio Carvalho to Brentford for up to £27.5 million ($35 million) could have a surprising impact on Manchester United’s summer transfer strategy.
The deal for the Portuguese forward includes £5 million ($5.4 million) in add-ons, features a 17.5% sell-on clause for Liverpool and a 20% share of Liverpool’s profit above £5 million ($6.3 million) for Fulham, Carvalho’s former club.
As a result, Fulham look set to gain around £3.1 million ($3.9m) from the transaction.
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McTominay out, Ugarte in?
This boost in funds could be particularly significant for Fulham, who have previously expressed interest in signing Man United midfielder Scott McTominay.
The London club’s ability to make a competitive offer for McTominay had been hampered by financial constraints after splashing out on Arsenal's Emile Smith Rowe.
With the millions they're expected to receive from Carvalho’s sale, Marco Silva's men may now have the means to meet United’s asking price.
🔴🏴 Manchester United remain open to selling Scott McTominay if proposals will go up to £30m package.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 2, 2024
It could be crucial to bring in new midfielder.
Fulham want to insist and push to make it happen. pic.twitter.com/41AQ4jPRMK
United currently have a net spend of around £92 million ($117.3m) this summer after bringing in Leny Yoro, Joshua Zirkzee and the two Bayern Munich defenders, Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui. Yet they remain keen to bolster their squad and the next signing could be in the midfield department.
If Fulham are able to afford McTominay, it could allow Erik ten Hag's side to pursue another key target.
That key target could be Manuel Ugarte from Paris Saint-Germain who United have been linked with all summer, however, his cost could still be too much even with a McTominay sale.
It's been reported that PSG would like a fee of around £50 million ($63.8m) and according to The Athletic, the Manchester side are prepared to shift their focus to a cheaper alternative.
