Saudi Pro League clubs are set to change their approach in terms of how they sign new players and it could affect Manchester United’s transfer plans.
United had planned to listen to bids for five players before the transfer window opened; Casemiro, Raphael Varane, Anthony Martial, Jadon Sancho and Donny van de Beek.
Two of them have left the club, albeit on loan, while Martial’s time at Old Trafford is likely to end when the season finishes.
Casemiro and Varane, the two former Real Madrid stars, hold higher resale value and their sale could help generate funds for new signings.
Casemiro arrived at Old Trafford last summer from Real Madrid for a fee of £60 million, and his contract is still in effect for the next two and a half years. His sale could help the club in getting a good fee.
As far as Varane is concerned, his contract at the club expires at the end of the season and United could still end up renewing it.
Varane and Casemiro are two players who may be drawn to the rich Saudi market, which has become a major player in the football world offering lucrative contracts to the players.
Daily Mail has reported that the cash-rich Saudi clubs could now change their strategy and focus more on Academy prospects instead of big name stars.
The Saudi clubs spent £700million on some of the biggest names in football including Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, Sadio Mane and others.
If that turns out to be the case, United may not be able to use PIF funding to raise the price elsewhere, forcing them to search for other options to get rid of Varane and Casemiro.
