Man Utd could secure summer signing on rare contract that Sir Alex Ferguson only handed out once

Manchester United have been offered the chance to sign a former England international who is available on a 'pay-as-you-play' deal this summer – a type of contract Sir Alex Ferguson is all too familiar with.

Back in the summer of 2009, Michael Owen joined United on a free transfer, but injury concerns meant he signed a pay-as-you-play deal, meaning his wages were heavily incentivised by appearances and goals scored, rather than a fixed salary.

Owen, who scored 17 goals in 52 appearances across a three-year spell at Old Trafford, is said to have taken a significant salary cut from the £110,000-a-week wages he was on at Newcastle.

“When I heard that Newcastle were prepared to let him [Owen] go, I acted in a flash and got him over to my house to talk about joining Manchester United," said Sir Alex Ferguson in 2019, as per The Mirror.

He added: “I know this may go down as a bit of blowing United’s trumpet, but I and my staff believed he improved as a player at United and he was an influence on young strikers like Wayne Rooney and Danny Welbeck."

More than 15 years later and United have been been offered the chance to sign former Newcastle striker Callum Wilson, according to The Athletic.

It is expected they would only advance if they fail to sign any of their top targets, but Wilson could be a cheap option for Ruben Amorim's side as the 33-year-old is looking for a new club where he will be on a pay-as-you-play deal.

That's according to The Sun, who also claim Wilson is looking to start more games after playing a bit-part role at St James' Park last term.

Taking to social media to announce his departure from Newcastle, the former Bournemouth forward wrote: "It's time to say goodbye after an unbelievable few years in the Toon. Thank you for everything. We stood strong together through the highs and some lows to help the club experience new heights."

He added: "I am so proud to have worn the iconic number 9 shirt and to have added a little more history to it."

Wilson is a free agent after leaving Newcastle. Image credit: Getty

Manchester United continue to be linked with a number of players this summer

A report from The Athletic on Tuesday also claimed that former Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy was among several free agents offered to Manchester United alongside former Everton forward Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

United were also said to be exploring the conditions of a potential deal for Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike.

Ekitike, who helped the Bundesliga side secure Champions League qualification after notching 22 goals and 13 assists last season, is currently one of the most sought-after strikers in world football.