Why Manchester United are no longer big spenders in the transfer market
The IndependentSign up to Miguel Delaney’s Reading the Game newsletter sent straight to your inbox for free Sign up to Miguel’s Delaney’s free weekly newsletter Sign up to Miguel’s Delaney’s free weekly newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. The first is that United’s budget was limited from the start after they overspent last summer: the end-of-window trolley dash meant £150m was splurged on Casemiro and Antony. The former captain’s decision to reject West Ham could cost United £50m: the £30m transfer fee the Hammers offered for a player who instead could leave on a free transfer in 2025 and two years of wages at around £10m per season, even if that might have been offset by the cost of bringing in another defender. McTominay also has admirers at West Ham but in looking for £40m, United may have priced him out of a move: West Ham’s two midfield acquisitions, Edson Alvarez and James Ward-Prowse, came for around £30m apiece. Fiorentina’s Morocco international has admirers at Old Trafford, and United’s first two games of the campaign suggest there is a need to bring in someone to partner Casemiro.