£138m Liverpool deals could help revive Man Utd transfer plans as £100m Red Devils duo eyed by ex-boss - opinion

Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim is facing a summer transfer window with few funds to work with - unless he can offload some of the current players within his squad.

Matheus Cunha is set to join the Red Devils from Wolves with his £62.5m release clause activated but after missing out on Champions League football, there is not much budget left for Amorim. He is set to be handed around £100m to sign new players but a lack of European football means United must be smart in the transfer market.

They also have £156m in past transfers that is due to be paid this summer and means that they will only be able to spend more on new signings if they can sell some of their current squad. The likes of Jadon Sancho, Tyrell Malacia, Marcus Rashford and Antony have all been out on loan and could fetch north of £100m if all four of those players are sold.

There is also the concern that Bruno Fernandes is giving a move to Saudi Arabia serious consideration while Alejandro Garnacho looks likely to depart after being told he can leave this summer by Amorim.

Bayer Leverkusen interested in Alejandro Garnacho and Antony

Former United boss Erik ten Hag has been confirmed as Xabi Alonso’s replacement at Bayer Leverkusen and reports from German outlet Kicker earlier in the week named Antony and Garnacho as two possible targets for the Dutchman.

Ten Hag worked with Antony at Ajax and United, as he pushed for the Brazilian’s £86m move to Old Trafford. Antony has rediscovered some form since moving to Real Betis on loan and United are said to be hopeful of selling him for £40m this summer after he increased his stock with his displays in Spain.

Garnacho is said to be valued at around £60m by the Red Devils. He was clear in his unhappiness with being left out of the starting XI for the Europa League final and has been told by Amorim he is free to leave this summer.

Why two Liverpool deals could save Manchester United’s summer

With United in desperate need of player sales to adequately bolster Amorim’s squad, two Liverpool transfer deals could have a direct impact on the Red Devils. Liverpool have completed a £29m move for Leverkusen defender Jeremie Frimpong and have submitted an offer of £109m to sign Florian Wirtz.

If a deal for Wirtz is agreed, that totals £138m that is heading Leverkusen’s way and then gives them more than enough to sign Garnacho and Antony, whose combined value stands at £100m. Whether the German club would be willing to pay that price for both players remains to be seen but with Bayer receiving a huge injection of cash from Liverpool, it would give them the ability to sign the out-of-favour United pair.

Amorim still needs a striker and could do with strengthening in midfield and at centre-back - and Liverpool’s big spending could prove to be lucrative for United, if Ten Hag is able to convince his new club to reunite him with two of his former players.