Man Utd ready to offer pay-rise to £42k-per-week star in order to secure £50m transfer - report
The midfielder could be tempted to move to Old Trafford with a big pay rise on his current contract.
Manchester United are hoping to end their season on a high, with a chance to win silverware and qualify for the Champions League via the Europa League.
Ruben Amorim’s side are in the quarter-finals against French side Lyon with the first leg coming on Thursday night away from home. If they manage to win the Europa League, they will secure a spot in next season’s Champions League despite being 13th in the Premier League.
If they do land a spot in Europe’s flagship competition, United could be able to lure specific transfer targets to Old Trafford with the promise of Champions League football and development under Amorim.
United could offer pay rise for Atalanta’s Ederson
Man United are expected to sign a midfielder to partner Manuel Ugarte in the summer as the future of Kobbie Mainoo remains uncertain due to the opportunity that they have to make ‘pure profit’ with regards to Profit and Sustainability Rules.
One such player that has been linked to United is Serie A side Atalanta’s midfielder Ederson, who is under contract at the Italian side until 2027. He has made 42 appearances this season, scoring four goals and two assists.
He is on a wage of £42,000 per week at Atalanta, and according to GiveMeSport, the Red Devils will look to use his relatively-low salary to their advantage in order to tempt him away from the Serie A club, who are reluctant to sell him this summer. But a potential payrise could play a role in convincing the player to move to Old Trafford.
The report says that he is estimated to command a transfer fee of around £50m but that United will only pursue Ederson should they qualify for the Champions League next season.
He isn’t the only central midfielder to be linked with a summer move to United as Crystal Palace star Adam Wharton has also been identified as a potential target. The Red Devils are reportedly tracking him, alongside Tottenham, Man City and Chelsea. His value is estimated to be around £70m.
Could Man United sell Kobbie Mainoo?
Mainoo is one of several United players who could be set for an exit this summer as the 19-year-old is yet to sign a contract extension at the club. He has reportedly requested a pay-rise in a new contract which could be worth around £180,000 per week.
United are already paying hefty wages to a lot of players, plus, it could ease some pressure with regards to PSR if they choose not to extend his deal and sell him for a big this summer.
Plus, if they sell him, it would be considered ‘pure profit’ because he is an academy player. The funds could help them make a couple of signings to improve Amorim’s squad in the transfer window.
Chelsea were previously linked to Mainoo, who is expected to command a transfer fee of around £70 million, which would provide a huge financial boost to the Red Devils.