Manchester United: Sacrificing on transfer fee the only way to get rid of expensive flop

Red Devils are preparing a major cull of superstars deemed surplus to requirements at Old Trafford.

After a solid conclusion to the Premier League campaign, focus shifts on the objectives ahead as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer continues his rebuilding journey to the pinnacle of Europe’s club hierarchy. To ensure the next phase of evolution, a few important decisions need to be taken after laying the groundwork 12 months ago.

The insiders started with a major reset of proceedings by letting go of ‘superstars’ who were not committed to strive for success at Old Trafford, earning humongous wages in the meanwhile. Departing members were replaced by an upcoming crop of players either from within or via the transfer market.

From those clutch of players, several of them were allowed to leave on a temporary basis which needs addressing this summer, after the expiry of loan deals at their respective borrowing clubs.

One such United member is Alexis Sanchez, who never made the cut at the Theatre of Dreams, finding himself placed among the most expensive transfer in recent history. Solskjaer made it certain that the then-Reds’ number seven was not around to influence his group of emerging talents.

Earning the weekly wages of £560,000, Manchester United had to pay around £175,000-per-week to push a one-year loan move to Inter Milan over the line. Struggling to adjust due to injuries, Alexis Sanchez found his feet in Serie A owing to Antonio Conte’s trust.

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Seeing the 31-year-old become a vital part of Nerazzurri’s attacking force, Antonio Conte has urged his bosses to secure Sanchez on a long-term deal. At this point, all parties are in consensus to prolong the Chile international’s stay at San Siro, reports James Ducker for The Telegraph.

Continuing on the story, the deal has hit a snag due to the magnitude of finances involved around the player’s wages. All the possibilities of this deal hinge on Sanchez’s stance on his salary. If the former Arsenal man decided to run down his United contract, estimates suggest the Chilean’s stay costs the Red Devils around £50million.

However, it is an unlikely scene as the player is keen to be a part of Antonio Conte’s Internazionale project. If Alexis Sanchez refuses a pay-cut, Man United would have to let the player go for a minimal transfer fee.

These reports stand opposed to those emerging from Italy, suggesting a standoff in the deal is due to clubs standing apart in the valuation of transfer fees with personal terms already being agreed with Sanchez.

"It’s not easy, he has a two-year contract with Manchester United, so we have to evaluate the situation.It’d be a shame if we couldn’t reach an agreement, because we want Sanchez today and tomorrow. – Inter Milan CEO Giuseppe Marotta (quotes via MEN)"

As things stand, Alexis Sanchez would have to report back at Carrington on August 7 if a consensus is not reached between Inter Milan and Manchester United.

Do you think Alexis Sanchez will sign permanently for Inter Milan?