How Man Utd could BENEFIT from late Saudi Pro League deadline

James Shearman

• Updated: 4 Sept 2023 23:02 BST
• 3 min read

Manchester United could benefit from the Saudi Pro League's late transfer deadline.

The Pro League window closes on September 7, meaning there is still time for Premier League players to move there.

And United are hoping that Donny van de Beek and Eric Bailly are of interest, given that they are surplus to requirements at Old Trafford.

READ MORE: Power Rankings: The 20 best transfers of the summer

The Red Devils have managed to clear out a lot of last season's dead wood, but those two players remain at the club.

Getting their wages off the books would help United from a financial perspective, which is even more important now that a potential takeover seems unlikely.

Van de Beek's failed Ligue 1 move

Ligue 1 club FC Lorient were reportedly interested in signing Van de Beek from Manchester United.

But, according to L’Equipe, the midfielder's attitude dissuaded them from pushing a move through on Deadline Day.

The report says that Lorient were interested in signing him in mid-August, but he refused to discuss terms despite a loan agreement being reached between the two clubs.

The Dutchman’s representatives then contacted Lorient at 10pm on Deadline Day in an attempt to secure a deal, after a change of heart.

However, Lorient did not appreciate the 26-year-old previously refusing a move and, as a result, he remains a Man Utd player.