Man Utd’s January savings hit £22m after midfielder sale
Cameron Smith
- 10 Feb 2022 20:55 GMT
- 4 min read
Manchester United have confirmed that midfielder Andreas Pereira will Flamengo on a permanent deal worth £12 million, with paperwork now completed.
The Brazilian midfielder will return to his homeland following a 10-year stint at Man Utd.
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Pereira joined the Old Trafford academy in January 2012, progressing through the ranks until he made his first-team debut during the 2014/15 season. Two years later, Pereira joined Granada on loan, and established himself as a regular, playing 35 times in La Liga, scoring five goals and assisting three.
The midfielder leaves Man Utd after 75 appearances for the club, netting four and assisting five during his time at Old Trafford. Pereira has been on loan at Flamengo since August, but due to the way the season works in Brazil, he only made his debut in early February.
Official statement expected soon for Andreas Pereira from Man United to Flamengo on permanent deal. Fee confirmed, €10.5m plus 25% sell on clause. 🔴🇧🇷 #MUFC
Flamengo are just waiting for final details on paperworks then it will be signed. pic.twitter.com/pUfGAQaAny— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) February 10, 2022
The loan move had an option to buy clause inserted and Flamengo have decided to activate it in order to sign Pereira on a permanent basis.
The player was on loan at Lazio last year, and it wasn't long ago that he was a regular for Man Utd. However, the club have taken the decision to move him on.
It's not the only piece of winter business conducted by the club, who let both Anthony Martial, Donny van de Beek and Amad Diallo depart on loan moves to Sevilla, Everton, and Rangers respectively.
The Red Devils opted against bringing in any new signings during the January window, with a clear focus on strengthening in the summer, but these decisions have saved the club a fair chunk of money.
How much have Man Utd saved?
In total, the club have saved around £22m across January, which are funds that could well be used effectively in the summer when they pursue big name targets, such as Declan Rice.
Pereira's transfer fee contributes to a fair whack of that total, but loaning out fringe players like Martial and Van de Beek has also helped hugely.
Martial, 26, is reportedly earning £13m per year at Man Utd (£250,000 per week) according to Spotrac, yet by offloading him to Sevilla for six months, they have saved themselves a lot of cash.
Martial hasn't been favoured by Ralf Rangnick, and if the Frenchman isn't set to be used much, then loaning him out is the best way to preserve his value, and save some money quickly. Sevilla, like Everton with Van de Beek, are paying 100% of Martial's wages between now and the end of the year, and that works out to £6.5m that the Spanish club will be paying, and Man Utd will be saving.
Van de Beek earns around 50% less than his team-mate, and so will be saving the club £3.1m, which is half of his annual salary.
By simply finding a new home for two wantaway stars for six months, and sell a player who clearly isn't in the first-team plans, Man Utd have saved enough money to aid their summer business massively. Martial and Van de Beek could even come back into the fold, but their six month absence will reward Man Utd with just under £10m.
Smart business from a club who haven't operated particularly shrewdly in the transfer market recently.
