Football
“He has agreed to join Man United but I won’t allow him to join a club who hasn’t won any major titles in the last ten years…I rather allow him to join Chelsea”: Agent of top Man United target confirms his client has agreed personal terms with Man United but won’t allow such move to happen as he reveals why
Manchester United’s pursuit of Joshua Zirkzee continues to be played out very much in the public eye.
Every detail, every stage of a potential £34 million saga poured over and laid out in detail by the media. From Kia Joorabchian’s eye-watering agent fee to AC Milan’s stance, to Manchester United’s ‘advanced’ discussions with the Zirkzee camp.
By contrast, Red Devils’ pursuit of Zirkzee’s team-mate has come straight out of the blue.
According to Gianluca di Marzio, the reporter who broke the news of Lazio’s £20 million bid for Mason Greenwood, Man United lodged an enquiry for Bologna forward Dan Ndoye this week.
Ndoye opened his Switzerland account with a well-taken finish in the 1-1 group stage draw with Germany at Euro 2024, only denied a second by the offside flag. It was a display which highlighted everything good about Ndoye. Pace, purpose, precision.
Potential, too.
Like Zirkzee, Ndoye is only 23 years of age. He very much fits the age profile of signings United are looking for in the Ineos era. Sir Jim Ratcliffe has spoken on numerous occasions about his desire to make Old Trafford home to the next generation of superstars rather than continue the Glazer-era trend of prioritising shirt-shifting big names over potential.
And Ndoye, intriguingly, has already represented two Ineos-controlled clubs. He rose through the ranks at Lausanne Sport before moving to France with OGC Nice in 2020.
Manchester United eye Bologna ace Dan Ndoye
It has not taken Ndoye’s camp long to respond to those Manchester United rumours. Lodovico Spinosi insists that the versatile attacker is ready to make the step up to a ‘superior’ team after helping Bologna quality for the Champions League for the very first time under Thiago Motta.
“I can tell you about Ndoye that he is having a great European Championship,” begins Spinosi, speaking to TV Play.
“(While he has) skills to improve, he truly has everything to go to a top club. What I noticed together with my partners, (is that) he raised his level in important matches.
“He is ready to go to a superior team to Bologna. He would have no problems making an impact. And he showed that against Germany, beyond the goal.”
Spinosi admits that there is not only Serie A interest in his client, even if a potential departure is still very much in the early stages.
Ineos know the Switzerland international well
“I can tell you that he is paid attention to not only by Italian teams, but also by foreign ones,” the agent adds. “The lucky thing is that he finds himself at a club like Bologna. Super healthy, who will play in the Champions League.
“To date, there is nothing concrete other than expressions of interest. It is true that he is doing very well and everyone is realising how decisive he is in one-on-one situations, thanks to his speed. He can also play as a wing-back, despite being born as an offensive player.
“He is a complete player who, if he manages to be more decisive up front, will be at a top-tier club.”
Ndoye, who played for Basel before moving to Bologna, clearly needs to work on his end product. That Germany strike was his first goal in 14 Switzerland caps. Ndoye also scored only once during 32 Serie A appearances in 2023/24.
But, like with Zirkzee and another Serie A whizzkid on United’s radar in Hellas Verona’s Tijjani Noslin, the Red Devils would not be signing Ndoye for the player he is now but for the player he could yet become.
Di Marzio, meanwhile, believes Bologna demand Ndoye at around £21 million.
Football
HERE WE GO: Transfer expert confirms Man United’s £59 million transfer deal as player medical is completed, shirt number give and awaiting official announcement before joining the team training
Manchester United are looking to add to their defensive ranks this summer amid a squad shake-up under Jim Ratcliffe.
The final 16 stage of Euro 2024 is now underway and both Switzerland and Germany have booked their places in the quarter-finals. The hosts continue their mission to lift the trophy on home soil but the competition is heating up and the talent on display is attracting the attention of domestic clubs.
“At the moment, De Ligt doesn’t want any distraction during the Euros, but for sure Man United made contact with his agent to understand the situation. United are considering a move — nothing is decided yet but he’s one of the names on their list. There’s still no proposal from United or any other club.”
Manchester United are looking at making some significant changes this transfer window, involving both incomings and outgoings. There are a number of roles the Red Devils are looking to strengthen but centre-back remains a priority.
With Harry Maguire tipped to leave, Raphaël Varane due to depart as a free agent and Jonny Evans also headed for the exit unless a late new agreement is made, United are set to be short on numbers at the back.
Erik ten Hag and his side are scouring the market for new defensive signings and Euro 2024 is proving to be the ideal opportunity to keep an eye on potential targets. United have been keeping tabs on Matthijs de Ligt and according to Fabrizio Romano for his Daily Briefing column, it could be a situation to monitor this summer.
De Ligt reportedly does not want ‘any distractions’ right now as he looks to reach as far as possible in the Euros with the Netherlands. The Oranje side are preparing to face Romania in their round of 16 clash, after qualifying for the knockouts as one of the best third-placed finishers in the group stages.
De Ligt is currently under contract with Bayern Munich until 2027 but had a mixed season in terms of appearances. The 24-year-old missed a number of games due to injury but when fit, he started 16 Bundesliga games, was substituted on for six, and left on the bench on four occasions.
“Matthijs de Ligt to Manchester United could be one to watch this summer as we know they’ve been exploring the market for centre-backs,” Romano said. “There’s now been contact between Man United and De Ligt’s representatives, but we may have to wait a bit longer for something more concrete to happen.
De Ligt is just one defender United are considering this summer, having already registered their interest in Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite, and Leny Yoro of Lille. The Reds aren’t alone in their pursuit though, and will likely face stiff competition for any player their set their sights on this summer.
Bild’s Christian Falk reported that Bayern are ‘holding out’ for a fee of £59 million for De Ligt, which is significantly less than the £70 million Everton are after for Branthwaite. However, United are reportedly not willing to meet the asking price for De Ligt and are only prepared to pay half of the quote, as they are working with a ‘restricted budget’, according to Sky Germany.
Football
TERMS AGREED: Man United agree personal terms with Erik ten Hag’s priority transfer as player arrives in Manchester ahead of medical on Monday
Manchester United are believed to have opened talks with a £60m-rated Euro 2024 star ahead of a summer move to Old Trafford, according to Sky Sports reporter Florian Plettenberg.
Man Utd transfer news
The Red Devils simply must kick on after a disappointing 2023/24 season, even though it culminated in them winning the FA Cup after a superb victory over Manchester City in the final at Wembley. Erik ten Hag may need to improve in the Premier League after the backing from Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS, and fresh faces could be needed in order for his team to find another gear.
The United manager has reportedly personally held talks with Bologna striker Joshua Zirkzee, as they look to snap up the Dutchman ahead of next season. He could provide ideal competition for Rasmus Hojlund, who is still maturing as a player and can’t be relied on to start every week.
Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Manuel Ugarte is another player who has been linked with a move to the Red Devils in the current transfer window, being seen as an ideal foil for Kobbie Mainoo in the middle of the park. The Uruguayan is thought to be keen on making the move to Old Trafford.
Centre-back is another position that clearly has to be improved upon at United this summer, too, and Barcelona ace Ronald Araujo is seen as a strong option to bring in, and an even better addition than Zirkzee. If he doesn’t come in, at least one other central defender is required, following the exit of Raphael Varane, with Harry Maguire and Jonny Evans arguably not representing elite options. Now, a new update has emerged regarding their pursuit of a player in that position.
Man United open talks with Euro 2024 star
Writing on X, the reliable Plettenberg claimed that Manchester United have now started talks with Bayern Munich defender Matthijs de Ligt over a summer switch, with the Bundesliga giants wanting £60m for his signature:
We’ve been told that Manchester United have opened talks about Matthijs de Ligt on player‘s side now! Understand that MUFC have gathered more information about the 24 y/o in recent days as he can leave Bayern with a suitable offer as revealed. De Ligt, ready to leave Bayern and open to join ManUtd as he will not become the central defender No. 4 or 5. Still no contact between the clubs yet.”
De Ligt has the talent to be a great signing for United, even though his stock may have fallen slightly since emerging as a prodigiously talented teenager at Ajax, who he helped reach the Champions League semi-finals back in 2018/19.
Still only 24 years of age, the Dutchman has now won 45 caps for the Netherlands, and he is part of his country’s squad at Euro 2024. Bundesliga commentator Kevin Hatchard has described him as a “monster”, and he could be the perfect centre-back partner for Lisandro Martinez moving forward.
There is a slight risk element in signing De Ligt, considering Bayern appear willing to sell him for a reason, but given his age, this feels more likely to be a success than signing an ageing player who is past his best – something United have done far too often in recent years.
Football
“My client really want join Man United but he want them to sell ONE player first”: Agent of Man United’s priority transfer target confirms his client really want to join Man United but on ONE DANGEROUS CONDITION
As per the latest reports coming from Italy, Zirkzee is set to leave Bologna to join Man Utd, who have agreed a deal with his agent.
Two days ago, we covered an article via CorSport stating the Premier League side are willing to pay the clause and the agent fees to sign the center forward.
According to a story published by Corriere di Bologna today, the Dutch striker’s move away from the Serie A side is now ‘certain’.
The news source have mentioned that the 23-year-old forward is ‘ready to embrace’ a move to the Red Devils in the summer transfer window.
It is stated that Man Utd have agreed a deal with the agent regarding commissions and have also convinced Zirkzee to come to Old Trafford.
If the former Bayern Munich starlet joins the 20-time English champions, he will be in direct competition for the starting No.9 role against Rasmus Hojlund.
CorBologna claim, United boss, Erik ten Hag, directly contacted his compatriot ‘to overcome’ his resistance to the transfer.
Now, Zirkzee is ready to sign for Man Utd, who already have a ‘respectable attack’.
The youngster is yet to make an appearance for the Netherlands at the Euros and will likely start on the bench again when the Oranje collide against Romania on Tuesday.
Hojlund will soon return for pre-season as Denmark were eliminated from the competition by Germany last night.
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