Manchester United will have to pay £22million if they are interested in securing the long-term services of Bayern Munich loanee Marcel Sabitzer, according to reports.
The Austrian midfielder made the move from the Bundesliga to Old Trafford in January after starter Christian Eriksen picked up a mid-term injury and has made a positive impact in the Premier League.
Sabitzer has made 18 appearances under Erik ten Hag, scoring three times in 18 appearances but after picking up handful of small injuries and the return of his Danish team-mate in April, his influence has waned.
The player was ruled out for the final four games of United’s 2022/23 campaign with a knee injury, and may have played his last match for Erik ten Hag’s side with a decision yet to be made over his future.
The sum that United would have to pay for Sabitzer was offered by Sky Sports, and may yet affect whether the midfielder can join the club on a permanent basis, with United’s transfer hopes currently up in the air due to ownership uncertainty.
Marcel Sabitzer will come with a £22m price tag if Man United want to keep him permanently
Erik ten Hag is believed to be undecided about whether there is a long-term role for Sabitzer
Both Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Sheikh Jassim Al Thani have tabled bids to the current Glazer ownership but it remains to be seen whether the club will undergo a full takeover, seek new shareholders, or continue under the same control ahead of the transfer window.
Ten Hag is keep to finesse his options in central midfield, keeping tabs on Juventus star Adrien Rabiot, and his compatriot Manu Kone, amongst other targets.
Bayern head coach Thomas Tuchel is said to have left Sabitzer out of his plans for next term, and would be open to offers for the midfielder.
For his part, Sabitzer has shared willingness to stay at United in an interview with BILD in April.
The former RB Leipzig player called the Premier League ‘the best league in the world’, and hailed working under Ten Hag.
‘My thoughts are on United (for now) especially with the trust I get from Erik ten Hag – it’s very positive.
‘But I’m not the only one who decides.’
Adrien Rabiot is another option that Erik ten Hag is said to be considering in the midfield
