Manchester United are still paying out for a transfer from three years ago after qualifying for the Champions League.
Bruno Fernandes has been a good investment for United (Image: Michael Regan – The FA/The FA via Getty Images)
Sporting Lisbon will receive €1million (£800,000) from Manchester United for Bruno Fernandes’ 2020 transfer after the Reds secured a top four Premier League finish.
Thursday’s 4-1 win over Chelsea meant Champions League qualification for next season, triggering a bonus clause that elevates Fernandes’ overall fee to €65m (£56.5m).
United had forked out an initial €55m (£47.9m) but have so far paid an additional €10m (£8.6m) in bonuses, as per Portuguese outlet Record.
There is supposed capacity for another €15m (£13m) in bonuses to be activated. Fernandes has played 183 United games since his switch three-and-a-half years ago, scoring 62 times and assisting 54 more. February’s League Cup was his first trophy as a United player.
United will receive around £14m for qualifying for the Champions League, with around £2m for each group stage win and £800,000 for a draw. The Reds need to match or better Newcastle’s result with Chelsea to finish third in the Premier League.
If so, they will be handed £39.6m – £2.2m more than if they finish fourth. Ten Hag is in the dark about what summer transfer budget he will be handed with the conclusion of the takeover process unclear.
However, he insists that the ownership saga will not affect his window plans, even if it does roll into June and July. “I think so,” he said when asked whether he will still be able to operate successfully this summer.
“I came in here [at the end of] last season and we talked about what can we do in the squad, what can we do in transfers. And last year, the club confirmed they can do. So, for me, I don’t think anything changed and yeah, in this summer period we can do the same.”
United spent £225m last summer and are expected to sell off players to fund arrivals this time around to stay within Financial Fair Play Regulations.
Source: manchestereveningnews
