Manchester United CEO Ed Woodward tells fans not to expect more world record fees after the shutdown. “It may not be 'business as usual' for any clubs, including ourselves, in the transfer market.”
The newspapers remain packed with reports of moves worth over €100m, including up to €200m asking price for Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane.
However, the coronavirus pandemic and consequent shutdown of sport is going to burst that bubble.
Manchester United CEO Ed Woodward tells fans not to expect more world record fees after the shutdown. “It may not be 'business as usual' for any clubs, including ourselves, in the transfer market.”
The newspapers remain packed with reports of moves worth over €100m, including up to €200m asking price for Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane.
However, the coronavirus pandemic and consequent shutdown of sport is going to burst that bubble.
“Nobody should be under any illusions about the scale of challenge facing everyone in football,” said Woodward in a videoconference call with Manchester United fans.
“It may not be 'business as usual' for any clubs, including ourselves, in the transfer market this summer.
“As ever, our priority is the success of the team, but we need visibility of the impact across the whole industry, including timings of the transfer window, and the wider financial picture, before we can talk about a return to normality.
“On this basis, I cannot help feeling that speculation around transfers of individual players for hundreds of millions of pounds this summer seems to ignore the realities that face the sport.
“It's also important to acknowledge the part played by our successful business in allowing us to fulfil our social responsibilities.
“We have always believed that our commercial model gives us greater resilience than most clubs and we are grateful for the enduring support of our commercial partners in helping us achieve that.”
It also means Manchester United could be forced to accept significantly less than they had hoped if they are to sell Paul Pogba.