Manchester United set for 'significant' windfall as academy graduate 'agrees' Serie A move

Manchester United will receive a financial windfall if former defender Teden Mengi completes a proposed move to Serie A before transfer deadline day.

The United academy graduate was sold to Luton Town a year ago for an undisclosed fee as part of a deal which also included a 'significant' sell-on clause. Mengi, 22, impressed during Luton's solitary season in the Premier League and has been attracting interest all summer with regard to a possible transfer.

It looks like he could finally get his move, with Serie A side Torino understood to be close to finalising a deal for his signature. Footmercato claim the centre-back has already agreed a move to Turin, though they will still have to reach an agreement with Luton over the final transfer fee.

While the exact sell-on clause was not disclosed when he completed his move to Luton, sources have described it as 'high'. For context, United included a 40 per cent sell-on clause when they sold Zidane Iqbal to FC Utrecht, an initial 50 per cent sell-on clause in the deal to sell Hannibal Mejbri to Burnley and a 50 per cent sell-on clause in the sale of Mason Greenwood to Marseille.

United have aimed to become "smarter" in terms of selling academy graduates and they have also become a lot more ruthless, with staff suspecting players are going "stale and sour" if they stay at the club too long without getting an opportunity to play.

When it comes to transfer fees, United still look to get a fair price for their players where possible, but are also happy for the real value of a deal to be made up with future sell-on fees or buyback clauses. In the case of Facundo Pellistri, United will have a buy-back option for 3 years and be due 45% of any sell-on fee. Though the initial fees might look a little underwhelming at times, it only takes one hefty transfer fee to be paid for United to land a significant windfall.