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Jean-Claude Blanc, CEO of INEOS Sport and a member of Manchester United’s Board of Directors following Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s investment, played a significant role in one of the club’s major summer signings.
Blanc’s involvement came amid a reshuffle at United, where the club’s hierarchy has seen major changes over the past six months.
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Key figures such as Dan Ashworth, Omar Berrada, and Jason Wilcox have been brought into pivotal roles within the club’s structure.
Although Jean-Claude Blanc was initially rumoured to be in contention for the CEO position at Manchester United, an agreement with Manchester City’s Omar Berrada for that role was eventually reached.
Despite this, Blanc still holds an influential position at the club and has made valuable contributions behind the scenes, particularly during the summer transfer window.
Jean-Claude Blanc role in the Manuel Ugarte transfer
According to an article published by The Athletic, Blanc remains slightly distanced from Manchester United’s day-to-day operations at Carrington but is still involved in critical decisions at a higher level.
One example of his influence is his involvement in the signing of midfielder Manuel Ugarte during the summer transfer window.
The report details that Blanc held face-to-face talks with Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi, over the potential transfer of Manuel Ugarte.
Blanc and Al-Khelaifi, who worked together for 11 years during Blanc’s time in France, met in Monaco before the Champions League draw on August 29 to discuss the terms of the deal.
There were initial challenges regarding the valuation of Ugarte, with PSG seeking a higher upfront fee.
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However, thanks to the strong relationship between Blanc and Al-Khelaifi, the pair were able to negotiate an agreement on the payment terms.
Eventually, United secured Ugarte for an initial fee of £42 million, which could rise to £50 million with add-ons.
Blanc’s ability to leverage his connections played a pivotal role in overcoming the obstacles in the Ugarte deal, demonstrating his importance to Manchester United’s transfer operations, even in a broader role.
This summer’s dealings, including Blanc’s crucial involvement in high-level negotiations, highlight the growing influence of the new hierarchy at Old Trafford as they aim to strengthen the club both on and off the pitch.
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