Veron to use United get-out

13 April 2012

Juan Sebastian Veron will use a get-out clause in his contract to leave Manchester United next summer.

Sportsmail understands that the Argentina international, who joined the champions for ? 28.1 million from Lazio in July, did so on the tacit understanding that either side could terminate the relationship after a trial period of a year.

Veron has since confided to one of his closest advisers in England that he intends to invoke that agreement when Sir Alex Ferguson steps down at the end of the season, and that Spain is his preferred destination.

Barcelona are already making the necessary financial arrangements to agree a deal which is expected to cost them around £32.3m.

That is the buy-back figure included in the get-out clause of Veron's four-year contract with United.

It has been reported that Lazio have first option to re-sign their former player but that is not the case. Veron's agent Gustavo Mascardi is aware of Barcelona's interest and their overtures have not been discouraged.

Neither will United fend off prospective buyers having conceded during negotiations for his transfer from Rome that a speedy turnaround for Veron would satisfy the wishes of the club's plc to balance the books.

His arrival was described by some at United as a luxury buy whose talent might achieve Ferguson's dream of winning the Champions League in his final season in charge. As such, what happens after the manager stands down was not a prime consideration.

The 26-year-old Veron has failed to find a consistent level of performance, however, and his often ineffectual displays have not gone unnoticed.

He was unimpressive in games against Liverpool and Leeds United, and in Sunday's 3-1 defeat at Arsenal he was replaced after just 58 minutes, having contributed little to the cause.

Veron is said to be baffled by the English style of play and the role he has been asked to fulfil, and, despite moving his partner Florencia and their two children into Fabien Barthez's old house in the Bowdon area of Manchester, he has also complained of his inability to relate to English culture.

It now seems unlikely he will begin next season as a United player.

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