Man Utd look to avoid Man City mistake as Zidane Iqbal contract clauses revealed

Manchester United have inserted buy-back and sell-on clauses into the deal to sell midfielder Zidane Iqbal to FC Utrecht, it has been reported.

The 20-year-old midfielder, who made just one senior appearance for the club, is set to move to the Netherlands permanently after a loan move fell through in January. The Manchester Evening News previously claimed that manager Erik ten Hag was concerned about the lack of central midfielders in the squad.

Regarded as a promising talent, Iqbal trained with Championship side Preston North End in the 2021/22 season and spent time with the United senior squad throughout the last campaign.

He was a regular on United's bench in the first half of the season, but that did not result in a second senior appearance for the club under Ten Hag.

Now, the club have taken the controversial decision to allow the youngster to leave permanently - but there are conditions involved in the deal as the club appear to have avoided a costly mistake made by their rivals.

Iqbal sell-on clause revealed

According to the Manchester Evening News, United have inserted a sell-on clause into the deal to sell Iqbal, which entitles them to 40 per cent of the player's next transfer fee.

As a result, the club have avoided making a similar mistake to Manchester City, who sold Romeo Lavia to Southampton for an initial fee of £10.5 million.

Southampton are reportedly asking for around £50 million to sell Lavia this summer, but the MEN's Simon Bajkowski has claimed that City only have a 20 per cent sell-on clause attached.

They also have a buy-back clause on Lavia, which comes into effect in the summer of 2024. United, it has been reported, have also inserted a buy-back clause for Iqbal, meaning they can be first in line to sign him should he succeed at Utrecht.

Although it is unclear when this clause will come into effect, United have essentially future-proofed the midfielder so that, if he develops rapidly in the Netherlands, the club can profit from his on-pitch performances in the long-term.