Manchester United reportedly intend to trigger the release clauses of two Premier League stars as soon as the summer transfer window opens on June 1. Ruben Amorim’s lacklustre attack is set to be significantly bolstered and INEOS are prepared to show that they mean business by getting two deals wrapped up with plenty of time before the 2025/26 season.
United will look to pay Matheus Cunha’s clause of £62.5million and Liam Delap’s of £30m on the same day. They are aware of interest from their English rivals in both targets but will hope to beat their fellow European giants to the punch.
That’s according to the Daily Mail, who claim that Cunha is one of United’s main targets and a deal is thought to be very close after fending off interest from Newcastle in the Brazilian forward.
Cunha, who was spotted talking with Amorim after Wolves defeated United 1-0 at Old Trafford on Sunday, is expecting to play as a number 10 in the Portuguese boss’ 3-4-3 shape.
That allows room for another centre-forward to come in and compete with Joshua Zirkzee and Rasmus Hojlund. Ipswich’s Delap is the first-choice option for that role and his £30m release clause becomes active if Kieran McKenna’s side are relegated.
United are aware they will face increased competition for Delap’s signature, however, with Arsenal and Chelsea also linked with the England Under-21 international.
Victor Osimhen is viewed as another option, but would cost approximately twice the price of Delap.
The Red Devils could be open to sending Hojlund to Napoli in order to lower Osimhen’s £70m price tag, but such negotiations would be more complicated than paying Delap’s clause. The Serie A side still maintain an interest in Alejandro Garnacho also.
United are looking to raise funds by selling Marcus Rashford, Antony and Jadon Sancho, while the club remain open to offers for Casemiro and Hojlund.
Winning the Europa League and securing a place in next season’s Champions League would also fetch £100m, providing United a potentially significant financial boost, especially if they want to tie up deals for Cunha and Delap less than two weeks after the Europa League final.
