Atletico Madrid aims to sign Aoki for 100 million, which would greatly benefit Manchester United! Summer transfer income is expected to easily surpass 100 million.

Manchester United stands to gain significant transfer income this summer from multiple players, with Napoli’s €40 million buyout of Hojlund almost finalized. Furthermore, Rashford’s permanent transfer to Barcelona might bring in more than €20 million. Besides income from player sales, United has added special provisions in player departures to increase their revenue.

Thanks to these secondary transfer fee clauses, Manchester United has already earned money from the moves of Antony Elanga, Alvaro Fernandez Carreras, and Maxi Oyedele.

Data shows that last summer, through secondary transfer fee shares from these three players, plus Chelsea waiving a £5 million buyout compensation for Sancho and Marseille paying £5 million for 10% ownership of Mason Greenwood again, Manchester United earned a total of £25.6 million.

Moreover, in the coming months, Manchester United could receive even more, mainly depending on Aoki’s future. In summer 2024, United sold the academy forward to Ligue 1’s Marseille for €31.6 million (£26.6 million). According to the agreement, Marseille immediately gained 50% of Aoki’s economic rights and 100% of his sporting rights.

The so-called 100% sporting rights mean the player can only play for Marseille, and Marseille controls his transfer decisions. However, United retains the right to receive transfer fees through their economic rights.

If Marseille qualifies for the Champions League in the first season after the transfer, they can choose to pay £5 million to acquire an additional 10% of the economic rights. Marseille met this condition, so United still holds 40% of the economic rights.

If Marseille sells Greenwood in the future, United will receive 40% of the transfer income. Reports say La Liga’s Atletico Madrid is interested in signing him and may offer a record €100 million. Rumors suggest Atletico plans to raise funds by selling players like Conor Gallagher, Raspadori, Almeida, and Molina. Diego Simeone highly values Aoki, having followed him since his time at Hertha Berlin.

Aoki, who just welcomed his second child, also hopes to return to the England squad and is therefore reluctant to transfer mid-season; the summer window offers a better opportunity.

This season, Greenwood has scored 20 goals and provided 6 assists in 26 appearances across all competitions. However, a return to Manchester United has never been an option due to the controversy it would cause and the current surplus of right wingers in the squad.

If Aoki transfers for €100 million, Manchester United could earn €40 million from the share. Combined with fees from Hojlund and Rashford, the summer window could see United’s transfer budget increase by €100 million.

However, United’s economic stake in Greenwood may further decrease. Marseille’s chairman Pablo Longoria revealed that if Marseille qualifies for the Champions League again this season, the club can increase its economic rights ownership of Aoki.

The Marseille executive explained: "Regarding Mason’s contract, Marseille owns 60% of his economic rights and 100% of his sporting rights, with a possibility to raise the former to 65%. If that happens, we need to qualify for the Champions League to add 5%. We are very pleased with Mason’s progress; the club recognizes his talent, and Roberto De Zerbi has done an excellent job coaching him."

If this clause is triggered, Manchester United would retain only 35% of Greenwood’s economic rights, receiving €35 million from the €100 million fee. However, this impact is not too severe, as Marseille would also need to pay an additional €2.5 million.

Several other former Manchester United academy players also have secondary transfer fee clauses in their contracts, including McTominay at Napoli (10%), Hannibal Mejbri at Burnley (50%), and Zidane Iqbal at Utrecht (40%).