Manchester United were forced to pay the full transfer fee for Harry Maguire upfront in the summer window. Maguire joined United for £80 million, making him the most expensive defender in the world.
It was expected that the Red Devils would spread the cost of the transfer out over a number of years, but it is clear that Leicester blocked this proposal.
The Athletic reports that Leicester forced United to pay the full amount for Maguire in the summer.
In the six months following June 2019, United paid out an astonishing £187million on transfer fees, bringing in just £22m in player sales.
Based on an analysis of the club’s official accounts, it is clear that a significant amount of the outgoings, £80m, was spent on Maguire.
Typically the payment of transfer fees is spread out over several years, like with Bruno Fernandes and Romelu Lukaku, but Leicester demanded the whole fee be paid up front, as compensation for losing their star centre-back.
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The long term effect of the deal for the England international is that United will not need to budget for a significant amount of add-ons this summer.
The Red Devils are expected to spend big again in the next window and the club will have a good idea of how much money is available.
United’s income in recent years has been reduced due to their absence from Europe’s elite competition.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is keenly aware of the effect that playing in the Europa League has on the club and its wider effects on United’s transfer activities.
He said: “We are a big club and we have got good finances. But the longer you are out of it the more you will suffer.
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“It is an ambition to get back [into the Champions League] for football reasons and for financial reasons. We have just got to focus on next game.”
Solskjaer’s side take on Club Brugge tomorrow night after being held to a 1-1 draw in Belgium last week.
Brugge are in good form ahead of the second leg after beating fourth placed Charleroi 1-0 in their last league game.
The United boss is keen to win the game but insists it is not the only realistic way he can qualify for the Champions League.
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“I think we need to take one game at a time,” he added. “In cup competition, you never know. A bad day etc.
“We take on game at a time and take as many as we can in the league.”
The Red Devils sit fifth in the Premier League table, which would secure a place in next year’s Champions League after Manchester City received a two-year ban.
United leapfrogged Tottenham and Sheffield United into fifth with a 3-0 win over Watford at Old Trafford last time out.
That victory meant United secured back-to-back wins for the first time this year, having beaten Chelsea the previous week.
Solskjaer’s side will be looking to win three consecutive Premier League games for the first time this season when they travel to Everton this weekend.
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