Liverpool miss out on windfall as secret £40m transfer clause ignored
Liverpool have missed out on a handy cash windfall after former player Rhian Brewster departed Sheffield United. The forward signed for Derby County on a free transfer earlier this week after failing to agree to a new contract with the Blades ahead of another season in the Championship.
Brewster has signed a two-year contract with the Rams and departed Bramall Lane after featuring 42 times for Sheffield United last season, as the side fell in the Play-Off Final at Wembley Stadium. The 25-year-old scored just nine goals in 119 appearances for the Yorkshire side and joins a Derby squad that have already signed strikers in Carlton Morris and Patrick Agyemang from Luton Town and Charlotte FC in recent weeks.
The striker was offered fresh terms by United, who he joined in 2020, but has instead chosen to make a move to the Midlands. And as a result Liverpool have missed out on the opportunity to rake in some cash.
When Brewster joined Sheffield United in a £23.5million deal, the Reds ensured they were protected in the even the forward found success. The Anfield team included two clauses in the transfer agreement that saw the former Chelsea academy ace depart.
As part of a club-record fee for the Blades, they were also rerquired to agree to a sell-on and buy-back clauses. Liverpool inserted the ability to see Brewster to return to Merseyside for £40m should they be persuaded his performances warranted the fee.
And the Reds also ensured a a 15 per cent sell on-clause was in place but with Brewster leaving Sheffield United for free, that has unfortunately not paid off. Nevertheless, the ex-Liverpool forward has found another opportunity to prove himself.
'I'm very happy and very delighted to join this great club," Brewster said after joining Derby. "It's been busy but after speaking to all the boys and the manager and stuff like that, it was a no-brainer.
"I feel this is a big opportunity for me - and one I had to grab with two hands. Hopefully, I can show that this year.
'I know Ben Osborn from being at Sheffield United and also Kane Wilson through playing with England at youth level. For me, the project that John Eustace has set out, for me, was a no-brainer to be involved with. It sounded really good and is something that I want to be a part of, heading to bigger and better things with this club.
'There is so much more for me to do - I've got a point to prove. I feel like I can always get better, no matter how old you are. There are always things to learn. I believe that will happen here with the manager, staff and players alongside helping me along the way.'
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