Manchester United, who are failing to deliver this season, much to the frustration of captain Bruno Fernandes, need a striker who can deliver. “Someone that the bosses at Old Trafford have been impressed by is Igor Matanovic, but they are by no means alone.
Igor Matanovic has gone from being a Mediterranean danger in the Bundesliga to becoming a name placed high on several Premier League lists. Manchester United are now among six English clubs considering a transfer.
Read on English clubs: Video of Bruno Fernandes leaving Old Trafford after Tottenham game goes viral
The 23-year-old Croatian striker, who joined SC Freiburg from Eintracht Frankfurt in July, scored an impressive 15 goals in all competitions last season. – He is an obvious part of the first eleven when SC Freiburg host FC Schalke 04 later today Sunday at Europa-Park Stadion in the Bundesliga.
Matanovic has continued his good form this season, with six goals in his first seven games in all competitions. It is this form that has drawn scouts from various clubs back to Germany.
Manchester United, Aston Villa, Coventry City, Fulham, Arsenal and Chelsea are on a growing list of clubs following him.
It is a scouting competition, where Freiburg are not under pressure to sell. The Bundesliga club’s negotiating position is strengthened by the fact that Matanovic has a contract until 2029.
Xabi Alonso plans raid on Liverpool for star he knows well
Igor Matanovic discussed at Man Utd
Man Utd have been linked with Matanovic since last year, when he was discussed as cover rather than a first-class signing.
These internal talks are said to have continued under Michael Carrick, so he is still a player “Red Devils” fans should keep an eye on.
Arsenal’s interest comes in the wake of a summer in which they failed to sign a new recognised striker.
Chelsea’s interest is the more well-known: a 23-year-old whose profile could be behind João Pedro rather than displacing him.
Tottenham also still followed him in mid-September after monitoring him throughout the summer. But sources have not confirmed whether Spurs are still interested.
Price is the other moving part. Freiburg are not under pressure to sell and are now said to value him closer to £50 million – in the same category as Johan Manzambi, whom they sold to Aston Villa for around £60 million.
With his 190 centimetres, a strong game in the air and a goal record that is still rising, Matanovic looks like a ready-made Premier League striker on paper.
Whether any of the interested clubs make monitoring a January campaign could depend on how long his scoring streak lasts – and whether any of the suitors make a big bid that Freiburg consider fair.
