A solution has been suggested to United. An anonymous sports director has told The Athletic: "The players’ agents will be communicating with interested clubs. And those clubs might say, ‘We can pay £20million to £30m as a fee. If you can get that lower, then we can pay the wages being asked and your agent fee, too’. There is a market for clubs who want players at £20m to £25m. It’s tricky above that.
"A compromise is needed, and they can come in different forms other than just reducing the amounts involved. Clubs could pay in instalments, for example, or over a longer period, or there could be compromises on bonuses."