Without even making a first-team appearance for Manchester United, Dylan Levitt was called up to the Wales squad in 2019 and that's when many fans thought they had made something special on their hands. He would make his full debut later in the year against Astana in the Europa League, but since then his meteoric rise has stalled.
Loans to Charlton Athletic (where he made three appearances), Istra 1961 and Dundee United followed and now at the age of 21, it seemed unlikely he had a chance at making it in the first team, especially with the likes of James Garner and Hannibal Mejbri competing for a similar position. Therefore it makes sense that United are close to agreeing a permanent transfer for Levitt to Dundee United, the Manchester Evening News understands.
Levitt impressed during his loan spell at Dundee, playing 29 times and netting six goals, winning the Fans' Player of the Season award in the process. And with one year left on in his contract, they are more than happy to strike a deal to bring him in permanently.
ALSO READ: Manchester United agree to sell Dylan Levitt on permanent transfer
The intricacies of the deal are not yet clear, but United should try and implement a sell-on clause into any agreement to maximise the long-term benefit for the club. And Levitt should not be the first player that United take that approach with.
On too many occasions over the past decade and probably longer, United have held onto young players for too long until their contract expires and then they go elsewhere and make a name for themselves, but never reach the heights that was once expected of them. This isn't beneficial for the player nor is it for the club.
One recent example is D'Mani Mellor. Despite his injury, he was still well regarded in the academy, but his contract expired and then he joined Wycombe Wanderers on a free transfer.
If United look to sell players before their contract expires and maximise their value, they can add in buy-back clauses and sell-on clauses to make sure if the player has a good career they still financially benefit. This is how every other modern club operates, and in that regard United need to catch up.
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