Man Utd poised for windfall as Kambwala nears Villarreal exit

Willy Kambwala is on the move again – and Manchester United are ready to cash in, even if only modestly.

The former United defender is expected to leave Villarreal before the transfer deadline, with Italian side Como leading the race for his signature. Spanish club Osasuna are also in the frame, but Como are understood to be in pole position.

If Villarreal complete a sale, United will receive a slice of the fee thanks to a sell-on clause agreed when the centre-back left Old Trafford two years ago. Club sources described that clause as “sizeable” at the time, though expectations around this particular payout are restrained. Villarreal are not thought to be banking a major fee from Como, which naturally limits United’s cut.

Back in 2024, Villarreal committed to a structured deal worth €5.5m plus a possible €6m in add-ons to take Kambwala from United.

That agreement was heavily loaded with protections for the Premier League side: a buy-back option, matching rights for three years, and the sizeable sell-on clause now being triggered.

This type of contract detail is no longer an exception at Old Trafford. Before Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s investment, United occasionally built such clauses into outgoing transfers. Since Ineos took control of football operations, it has become standard policy.

The strategy is clear: if a player develops elsewhere, United still share in the upside.

Recent deals underline that shift. Tyler Fredricson’s move to Lausanne-Sport included what United considered a “high percentage” sell-on clause, along with a buy-back option. Radek Vitek’s transfer to Middlesbrough carried a buy-back clause, matching rights and a sell-on percentage that could climb to 35 per cent.

Even at academy level, the club are no longer letting talent walk away without a safety net. Ethan Williams’ switch to Peterborough last week came with a 50 per cent sell-on clause, plus buy-back and matching rights.

Kambwala’s next step, then, is more than just another line on the European transfer ticker. For United, it is another early test of a new, hard-edged approach to player trading – one that aims to make sure no promising departure is ever truly a clean break.