A sale of Alejandro Garnacho would normally be unthinkable for Manchester United.
But cashing in the graduate of the Academy could be a big step towards solving the problems of United, both on the field and beyond.
In many ways, it would be a blunt confession of a rival club for a rival club such as Chelsea, how bad things are at Old Trafford.
But if the proceeds were used to finance an amount of £ 300 million to strengthen what Baas Ruben Amorim has called 'the worst team' in the history of the club, it could be worth it.
If Amorim could bring in a left wing defender, an attacker and a midfielder in exchange for sacrificing Garnacho, it could be worth doing business.
And now that the owners of United also admit that the club runs the risk of violating the financial rules of the Premier League, the money would also help to prevent points deduction.
Just like the delicious attacker Marcus Rashford, Garnacho is a gold mine when it comes to profit and sustainability rules.
As a product of the Youth Development System of United, the current value of the Argentinian winger in the books of the club is £ 0, nothing, Nada.
If United would reserve £ 60 million for Garnacho this month, it would immediately be registered as £ 60 million in pure profit on the accounts of this season.
And at least in theory, it would free up an enormous purchasing power for Amorim while trying to shape the selection to his system.
Casino Special – Best Casino Bonuses From £ 10 Deposits
That is because when clubs buy players, the transfer sums for accounting purposes are debited about the term of the contract, so that the costs are effectively spread.
So if United £ 100 million would spend to contract Spits Viktor Gyokeres for a five -year contract by Amorims old club Sportling Lisbon, the costs of the deal per year would be £ 20 million.
That is why a reimbursement of £ 60 million for Garnacho would yield a three-year depreciation on a Gyokeres deal.
Or for a year depreciation at £ 300 million in expenditure for players signing a five -year contract on Old Trafford.
Ironically, it is Garnacho's largest lover Chelsea who recently took the lead in selling home -grown players to finance the expenses.
Academy Poster boy Mason Mount was sold for £ 60 million to United in 2023, while former trainees Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Ethan Ampadu and Callum Hudson-Odoi £ 20 million attracted pure PSF win.
Chelsea used it to finance £ 400 million in expenditure in 23/24.
Last summer, the Blues Academy graduates Ian Maatsen, Conot Gallagher and Lewis Hall, which they could spend another £ 200 million on new acquisitions.
Chelsea has had to find other creative ways to stay within £ 105 million in losses that are permitted for each three-year period, according to the PSR rules.
In 2022/2023, the club raised more than £ 70 million by selling hotels to a separate company that was also under the control of the owners. In 2023/24, the ladies team was sold in a similar deal for an unprecedented amount.
Nevertheless, Chelsea has avoided charges for PSR violations for the seasons 2022/23 and 2023/24.
United did that too, but only through the skin of their teeth.
And that is one of the reasons why it is unlikely that Amorim, as Garnacho is sold, has a 'full' £ 300 million to spend.
It is believed that the PSR calculation of United for the three-year period in 2023/24 included huge “add-backs” of approximately £ 40 million in connection with losses in 2021/22 as a result of the COVID pandemie.
United claimed that the structure of some of their commercial deals, especially in China, and other factors ensured that they suffer considerably larger losses than any other Premier League club, even though 2021/22 was the first season without covid- limitations were played.
The club also seems to have been successful with the argument that around £ 35 million in costs in connection with the purchase of Ineos in the club in February 2024 could also be not taken into account for PSR purposes.
But United will not have the COVID-the prison card for the three-year assessment period that runs until the end of this season, which will be the last according to current financial regulations.
And in a letter to a Fangroep, the club chefs made it clear that the club could not continue to suffer at the current pace: more than £ 300 million in the past three seasons.
Transfer news live: Stay informed of all the last moves from the January window
The letter stated: “This is not sustainable and if we do not act now, we are in the risk that we will not meet PSR/FFP. [financial fair play] Requirements in the coming years and will have a significant impact on our ability to compete on the field. “
Ineos has imposed large cost -saving measures on the club, which has been fired and cuts on the benefits, while ticket prices have also risen.
But the actual impact of such measures will only become clear in the medium and long term.
The sale of Garnacho would immediately yield £ 60 million in cash.
How much would be used to bring in new players and how much the club's financial position would stabilize would be an argument at Ineos for Amorim.
However, it is clear that something must be done to tackle both situations quickly.
And if United can only secure a loan agreement for Rashford during this period, then selling Garnacho seems to be the best – perhaps only – option.
Comments