Liverpool has reportedly missed out on a significant financial windfall following the departure of former academy product Rhian Brewster from Sheffield United, a situation stemming from overlooked clauses in a prior transfer agreement.

Brewster recently completed a free transfer to Derby County, having declined a new contract offer from the Blades, where he had been since 2020. This move to the Midlands effectively nullified any potential future earnings for Liverpool tied to his value, impacting the club’s football finances.

When Liverpool initially sold Brewster to Sheffield United, the deal was structured with specific financial protections for the Merseyside club. These included not only a substantial club-record fee for the Blades at the time but also two crucial transfer clauses designed to secure future returns for the Premier League giants.

One of these provisions was a significant £40 million buy-back clause. This allowed Liverpool FC the option to reacquire Rhian Brewster should his performances warrant such an investment, indicating the high hopes they once held for his potential return to top-flight football.

Furthermore, Liverpool shrewdly inserted a 15 percent sell-on clause into the agreement. This clause was intended to guarantee a share of any future transfer fee Sheffield United might receive if they sold Brewster to another club, a common practice in modern transfer news.

The unfortunate reality for Liverpool and manager Arne Slot is that neither of these strategic clauses ultimately paid dividends. With Rhian Brewster leaving as a free agent, the sell-on clause became obsolete, preventing any cash injection from his departure and impacting Liverpool’s financial planning.

This missed opportunity means Liverpool will not receive the anticipated boost to their transfer budget or overall finances that these clauses were designed to provide, highlighting the unpredictable nature of football transfers and the intricacies of player contracts.

Despite the financial implications for his former club, Rhian Brewster now embarks on a new chapter at Derby County, seeking to reignite his career and prove his worth on the pitch in the Championship, while Liverpool refocuses on future transfer news and strategies.