MARCUS RASHFORD has helped give Manchester United the financial wriggle room to land top target Benjamin Sesko – without selling ANYBODY else before the summer window closes.
United are continuing their push to land the Leipzig ace, although the Old Trafford club expect negotiations may take some time amid a full-on tussle with Newcastle.
AlamyMarcus Rashford joined Barcelona on loan[/caption]
GettyIt could help in Man Utd’s pursuit of Benjamin Sesko[/caption]
The Red Devils made their first direct approach for the £70m Slovenian on Wednesday, signalling their ability to take their summer spending over the £200m mark while Toon bosses are understood to have reached agreement on personal terms.
Newcastle also made the first move – launching a bid worth £70million for Sesko – who now has two options to choose from.
Contact has continued since and is likely to be stepped up once United return home from the final game of the Premier League Summer Series against Everton in Atlanta in a bid to see off Newcastle’s interest.
And their determination to land Sesko, 22, has been sharpened by the financial benefits of Rashford’s loan move to Barcelona.
The Catalan club agreed to take on Rashford’s £16m annual wage bill, an agreement which made a significant dent in United’s debit sheet.
United also raised £20.7m from sell-on clauses including Anthony Elanga’s move to Newcastle and the £5m paid by Chelsea to pull out of their deal to sign Jadon Sancho.
And successful negotiations with Wolves and Brentford respectively as part of the signings of Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo have also helped.
Rather than paying the bulk of the £130m total fees up front, United agreed to pay in multiple instalments, spreading the cost.
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And with Newcastle fearing Sesko, 22, has already decided that United are the club for him, the way seems clear for Ruben Amorim to land his man.
That will, though, require ongoing discussions with the Bundesliga club, who are determined to get their asking price.
Not qualifying for Europe this season means United do not have to stick to Uefa’s limit of spending no more than 70 per cent of their annual income on transfers and wages.
But while the club does still have PSR issues to juggle with, they have eased slightly after the controversial club cuts programme ordered by Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos.
Nevertheless, the huge transfer fees paid over recent seasons have lumbered the club with significant “amortisation” costs that are still being carried.
It means that, if Sesko joins Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha in a £200m-plus attacking trident, sales will have to be made before the end of the financial year on June 30.
GettyBryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha joined United this summer[/caption] Creator – [#item_custom_dc:creator]
