In a move that seemed like would happen for years has finally happened, Manchester United has sold Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez to Bayer Leverkusen for a reported amount of £9 million according to Sky Sports. In a related story, Man United also loaned Adnan Januzaj to Borussia Dortmund for the season.
Javier Hernandez has completed a permanent move to Bayer Leverkusen. We wish him all the best for the future. #mufc pic.twitter.com/uGUMobMLzW
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) August 31, 2015
This is step one of Manchester United’s supposed three step transfer deadline day sequence. David de Gea is expected to go to Real Madrid for around £30 million and Keylor Navas. That move must be done by 6:00 PM ET today as that is the Spanish transfer deadline. The other move is a big money move for 19 year old Monaco striker Anthony Martial. That deal is reported to be over £36 million according to Sky. Martial’s deal can go to 1:00 PM Tuesday ET as that will be when the English transfer window ends.
The Chicharito transfer rumors only sparked over the past day or so. Months ago, it seemed as if Chicharito would be joining MLS via the Los Angeles Galaxy or Orlando City SC but those rumors were put to rest a couple months ago.
This will certainly be a move that will benefit all sides but especially Chicharito. Chicharito, at 27 years old, will finally get solid playing time after five years at Manchester United with a year loan at Real Madrid. Bayer Leverkusen is a talented team and the talent there will really complement him well and in addition, is in the UEFA Champions League so he’ll still be playing against the best competition in Europe.
Bayer Leverkusen will be getting a pretty good player who is entering the prime of his career and are not paying that much because Chicharito hasn’t played all that often at Man United. This could be a great buy to get someone who has a lot of upside for the cost and can possibly get his form back with the suitable playing time.
For Manchester United, they’ll get £9 million for someone who hasn’t played all that much. Maybe United could have sold a year or two earlier and probably gotten more money for him but it is what it is and United at least got something for him.
