Ed Woodward’s Brilliant Plan To Sign La Liga Duo
Reuters / Phil Noble
As far as clubs go, few can match the prestige that Manchester United carry along, which ensures that players will sign more for the value of the brand than for just economic advantages. With the advent of clubs like PSG signing big names by virtue of their rich coffers, the English giants rely on previous success and a tested formula. This attraction might prove just enough for the Red Devils to land two long-term targets.
Antoine Griezmann and Gareth Bale were the top names on United’s transfer targets list this summer, but each due to their own reason, failed to move to Old Trafford. However, this might not be the case next summer, and Ed Woodward knows why.
Manchester Evening News believes that the executive vice-chairman of the Mancunian side will rely on the club’s commercial appeal to make these signings. In an era where sheer financial might dominates the market, such an approach might just prove to provide the requisite edge to ensure that signings go through.
A fine indicator of the same is shirt sales. Stars like Paul Pogba and Romelu Lukaku, as per the newly released figures, shone quite well in terms of sales. Not only do these numbers signify a good financial spell for the clubs, but they also provide more exposure to the players who can hope to pen advertising and brand deals elsewhere.
Reuters / Jason Cairnduff
Even players who failed to shine well on the pitch, like Memphis Depay, and those that couldn’t muster up enough playing time, like Bastian Schweinsteiger, managed to make it big on the worldwide scale. The German, during his short stint with the side, saw a leap from 31st to 4th position in sales, as reported by Kitbag.com.
Perhaps in the season to come, two bigger and more money heavy names shall be added to United’s rosters. With the iconic no. 7 shirt remaining uncapped, it is certain that the eventual signing will ensure a huge inflow of capital – so big that even monstrous transfer fees might be justified. How Woodward’s economic ploys play out will be seen in the summer to come.
Written by Naveen Kelvin 
A writer trying to craft the poetry within football. Purpose in life is to Make Good Art.