What Man Utd's Leny Yoro transfer means for FFP and Jarrad Branthwaite pursuit

Manchester United have the financial ‘flexibility’ to sign Lille defender Leny Yoro and remain in line with the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR). However, they will need to offload players for further defensive additions like Jarrad Branthwaite, claims to Reach Football’s Business of Football expert Dave Powell.

United have already raised £19million through three players this summer: Alvaro Fernandez to Benfica, Donny van de Beek to Girona and Willy Kambwala to Villarreal. Mason Greenwood is set to complete a £27m switch to Marseille.

On the incoming front, they’ve announced the £36m acquisition of Bologna striker Joshua Zirkzee and are on the brink of securing Lille defender Leny Yoro in a £52m deal.

The Red Devils are also in talks with Bayern Munich’s Matthijs de Ligt, and Everton have rebuffed two offers for Branthwaite. However, they may need to sell players such as Mason Greenwood and Victor Lindelof to finance another centre-back swoop.

“Now into a new financial year, Manchester United have the ability to be more flexible with additions,” Powell told the Manchester Evening News.

“Although the sales of the likes of Donny van de Beek, Willy Kambwala, and Alvaro Fernandez should be instructive as to United’s approach to the summer window, which will require money to be recouped before adding yet more transfer debt, something Sir Jim Ratcliffe wants to reduce.”

On the structure of the Yoro deal, the finance expert added: “The reported fee for Leny Yoro is £52m, with £42m of that guaranteed and the rest made up of add-ons.

“For amortisation purposes, only the £42m guaranteed sum would be accounted for annually, which would be £8.4m per year on the assumption that he signs a five-year deal.

“The add-ons would appear on the balance sheet as extraordinary costs as and when they are activated, be it through performance or making a certain number of appearances.”

Powell also noted that the sales of Fernandez and Kambwala enter the books as “pure profit”, as will Greenwood once he joins Marseille due to the trio’s status as academy graduates.

He continued: “As for Van de Beek, the Dutchman had one year left on his United deal, and a remaining book value of £7m, although loan fees recouped from his time elsewhere means that has largely been accounted for.

“United have reportedly received a fee of £423,000, but it is a deal that has add-ons that could rise to as high as £5m, plus it removes some wage pressures on the payroll.”

Powell summarised that United have enough wiggle room to facilitate a deal for Yoro but admitted that there won’t be much more cash to play with until more players depart in what could become a ruthless clear-out.

“United have the flexibility to move for Yoro, and cashflow isn’t an issue in terms of a payment plan,” Powell concluded.

“But in order for future additions, such as Jarrad Branthwaite, they will likely have to go to the well of selling off talent, with Mason Greenwood, Victor Lindelof, and Harry Maguire all potentially on the block, although a profit on Maguire may be challenging.”