Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe reportedly stopped the club from signing a Premier League striker during the summer transfer window.
The transfer window closed at 7 p.m. on Monday, September 1, and clubs were frantically trying to close deals at the last minute.
Yoane Wissa arrived at St. James’ Park, and Alexander Isak moved from Newcastle to Liverpool.
In the meanwhile, some people left United. Rasmus Hojlund joined Serie A winners Napoli on a season-long loan, while Antony returned to Real Betis on a permanent contract worth £21.6 million.
Additionally, Senne Lammens, a goalkeeper from Royal Antwerp, Belgium, arrived.
After Matheus Cunha, Enzo Kana-Biyik, Diego Leon, Bryan Mbeumo, and Benjamin Sesko joined United, Lammens, 23, became the team’s sixth summer addition.
But if Ratcliffe hadn’t stepped in, there might have been more signings.
Liam Delap and Dominic Calvert-Lewin were among the strikers on United’s shortlist, according to a report from The Athletic. The team also made a “check call on Hugo Ekitike when Liverpool began their approach.”
Joao Pedro was also mentioned, but it was somewhat unexpected that Danny Welbeck, his old Brighton teammate, was given considerable consideration before Ratcliffe intervened and effectively blocked the possibility of a move.
However, “United could not progress amid a new executive structure and uncertainty on the manager.” Erik ten Hag reportedly wanted to sign Welbeck, 34, while he was at the club.
Welbeck’s signing was reexamined this summer, and the Red Devils contemplated a two-year contract proposal before “Ratcliffe was known to feel United could not sanction a two-year deal for a player who is 35 in November, and instead, a one plus one was discussed, but the offer was not formalized.”
Welbeck has previously been connected to a move to United; earlier this year, Gary Neville floated the possibility of a comeback.
“He was fired from United too soon,” Neville said in a February interview with Sky Sports.
“Now, Danny Welbeck wasn’t precise in his game back then, so he (Van Gaal) just let him go. He didn’t fancy him at all.
“But he’s actually perfect for how Manchester United should play. Threatening space in behind, playing off front players. This idea that he’s not good enough for Manchester United is absolutely rubbish.
“He’s good enough to be in a pool of three or four strikers at Manchester United. For instance, Liverpool have three, four, five forward players across their forward line. They’re all of differing abilities and different types.”
Of course, Welbeck came through the ranks at United’s academy and made 142 appearances for his boyhood club, winning the Premier League in 2012/2013, before signing for Arsenal in 2014.
He has since played for Watford and his current club, Brighton.
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