Manchester United’s sell-on clause could be worth it as Ineos-owned Nice target £12m signing

The Dutchman kept his job despite a disappointing Premier League campaign and is now being backed with new signings this summer.

Bayern Munich defender Matthijs de Ligt is set to join the club this summer, having told the Bundesliga giants he wants to move to Old Trafford.

United are also considering other options and a second bid has been submitted – and rejected – for Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite.

An offer has been accepted for Lille’s Leny Yoro, but the teenager is believed to prefer a move to Real Madrid.

Ineos wants Teden Mengi at Nice

Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Co will focus on funding two centre-back signings at Old Trafford this summer, while also pursuing centre-back signings for Nice.

Nice – owned by Ineos – could lose Jean-Clair Todibo this summer, although he is barred from signing for United this summer.

Foot Mercato now report that Nice have identified a potential centre-back signing – a player who left United last year.

Nice have been stated to be “very interested” in signing Teden Mengi after he suffered relegation from the Premier League with Luton Town.

The report claims Fulham are also interested, with Luton demanding between €12m and €14m (£10m to £12m) for Mengi’s signature.

Mengi is a Manchester native who joined United aged just seven.

First-team appearances were hard to come by, however, and after two senior appearances – plus loan spells at Derby County and Birmingham City – United decided to sign Mengi permanently last summer.

Luton secured a deal and Mengi showed quality and potential in the Hatters’ backline despite relegation to the Championship, even being hailed as a “revelation” by boss Rob Edwards.

Manchester United maintain Mengi’s sell-on clause

Mengi is now attracting huge interest, with Luton’s gamble on the centre-back certainly paying dividends.

United will be watching closely as reports earlier this year suggested there is a “significant” sell-on clause in the deal.

This sparked interest in February when Bayer Leverkusen showed interest and possibly sent some money into United’s coffers.

Just a few months later, Mengi is worth even more now, meaning United could make a decent chunk of money from any deal.

Ineos will be mindful of this factor when considering signing Mengi from Nice; it may not be a difference-maker for United, but every little bit helps as there are so many positions in Ten Hag’s squad that need attention.

Related Topics