Strange contracts, indecision and Van Gaal - why Manchester United struggle to sell players

Saudi Arabia has become a willing dumping ground for Premier League clubs lacking affluent takers. Ruben Neves, purportedly an ambitious footballer, has been exposed as anything but now he is about to join the might of Al Hilal.

The Saudi Public Investment Fund is an investor in Chelsea's owners, Clearlake Capital. Chelsea have a bloated squad teeming with luxuries and need to balance the books. You can guess where the luxuries are headed.

It is doubtful John Murtough has the number of a director of football at a club in the Saudi Pro League (should one exist) but it is perhaps advisable to get on the blower. Eric Bailly? Alex Telles? Anthony Martial? David de Gea has been touted as another Saudi target.

United can just release De Gea, at least. They have planned for there to be more outgoings than incomings this summer but a mass exodus still seems remote. Bailly, Telles and Martial are all under contract for another year with one-year extension options. Bailly could survive five British prime ministers.

Also read: United aiming to buy Mount quickly to move onto second signing

During the Ed Woodward era (or error), United insisted there was not a de facto sell-to-buy strategy. Now they concede it does. Just like two years ago, United have carefully budgeted for two significant signings (a striker and a midfielder) and there is a reluctance to overpay even though they have done that on a near-annual basis the last decade.

Other incomings or dependent on outgoings. A number of players' positions are fluid yet they could also be fixed. Harry Maguire's future hinges on United receiving a compelling offer and whether there are the funds to make it worth their while recruiting an upgrade.

Maguire, Fred, Scott McTominay and