Yes I do wonder if it is something akin to the above. The reality is, your Chelsea's, Liverpool's and to a degree United's at this world will likely offer very good contracts in and around the ballpark above to players. I'm sure I read somewhere that Harvey Elliot's initial deal was around 50k p/w, so a 16 year old. That may include some sign ons being factored in.
The obvious answer is we match the 20k p/w but the genera, understanding is that while he's probably our brightest prospect he's not so far ahead of say Onyango, Price & Welch in the pecking order, and maybe not even Lewis Dobbin. There's a lad in the 16's who is more highly rated as well. So it starts to become difficult to start paying it for 1 player as it means you have to start matching it across the board.
I would imagine 20k p/w if about right for what a United may offer him. I also think there's likely to be a 7 figure sum for his agent to move him, and probably a 7 figure sign on fee for the player too. It's difficult, as from that contract he may be in a position where he never has to work again. We will make assurances, but he may look at say Ryan Ledson, who was perhaps even more highly rated, and see at 24 he has probably made maybe as much from those 6 or 7 years as what he may be able to make from 1 year, or a sign on fee. It's a big temptation.
As for the abroad situation, the answer is I'm not sure. I don't think we do, but maybe Brexit has changed rules slightly. I suppose we paid a nominal fee for Nkounkou so that would suggest there might be a fee.
I would be surprised if the fee would be set at £6m for him, but I could well see a 20%-25% sell on fee attached.