Manchester United Target Igor Matanovic Amid Zirkzee Uncertainty
Manchester United are weighing up a late move for Freiburg striker Igor Matanovic as uncertainty grows around Joshua Zirkzee’s future at Old Trafford, with Tottenham and Fiorentina also circling.
United’s summer so far has been about rebuilding the spine of the team. Midfield was ring‑fenced as the priority and they’ve gone heavy there: Carlos Baleba from Brighton, Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa and Andrey Santos from Chelsea have all walked through the door. Karl Darlow has arrived as back-up goalkeeper on a free, while young Tottenham defender Tynan Thompson cost around £8m.
That business hasn’t stopped the rumour mill. A left-back, a left-winger and a striker have all been mentioned as possible late additions, but inside the club the message is clear: left-back tops the list.
Zirkzee’s future opens door to Matanovic
INEOS are prepared to move for a No. 9 if Zirkzee goes before the window shuts. That stance has been underlined by journalist Ben Jacobs, who stressed that United are “alert” to bringing in a new centre-forward if the Dutchman departs amid interest from both the Premier League and Serie A.
Fiorentina are now pushing hard. With Como set to complete a deal for Moise Kean, the Florence club have turned their attention to Zirkzee and are in “advanced talks” to sign the Netherlands international from United, according to Fabrizio Romano.
Their shortlist does not stop there. Thursday’s print edition of Gazzetta dello Sport, relayed by Sport Witness, reports that Fiorentina also have Freiburg’s Igor Matanovic in their sights. The Italian paper describes a move for the Croatian as “difficult but not impossible”.
The complication? England.
Manchester United and Tottenham have joined the chase after Matanovic’s breakout Bundesliga season, in which he scored 11 league goals. In Croatia, he is already being talked about as the “heir to Mario Mandzukic” – a physically imposing, combative forward with a ruthless edge in the box.
The dominoes are obvious. If Omar Marmoush completes his switch to Tottenham and Fiorentina close in on Zirkzee, United could suddenly find themselves with a clear run at Matanovic in the final days of the window. A late striker move, once seen as unlikely, would then jump straight up the agenda.
Left-back puzzle: Balde now, Hall later?
While the forward line is wrapped in ifs and buts, the left-back search is more defined. Jacobs has outlined how United are weighing up their options carefully in that position.
Alejandro Balde has been offered around, with Barcelona understood to be open to a sale at around €45m. On paper, it’s a marquee opportunity. In reality, United’s hierarchy are wary of committing to a permanent deal that might block a future move for their long-term favourite.
That long-term favourite is Lewis Hall.
Hall is regarded as the top target for 2027, but he is not thought to be available this late in the current window. That leaves United with a choice: spend big now on someone like Balde, or find a stopgap solution that keeps the pathway clear for a serious move for Hall down the line.
The preference, if they do act on Balde, would be a loan with an option to buy rather than an outright purchase. It’s a structure that would give them flexibility when 2027 comes around.
For now, nothing is advanced. Balde is “one to watch” rather than an imminent arrival, and United have also been offered Jorge Salinas and David Raum as alternative options at left-back.
So the clock ticks down on the window with United juggling two delicate equations: a striker they may only move for if Zirkzee walks out, and a left-back they want now without closing the door on Lewis Hall later. One decision in Florence, or Barcelona, could yet reshape their entire end to the summer.
