Perhaps the strangest transfer saga of the summer is Manchester United’s pursuit of Bologna striker Marko Arnautovic.
Seemingly reacting to his team’s opening 2-1 Premier League defeat against Brighton and Hove Albion on Sunday, new manager Erik ten Hag appears to have revisited the transfer market in search of some new additions.
Although Juventus midfielder Adrien Rabiot is another name that the Red Devils are pursuing (The Athletic), the most bizarre link has been to Arnautovic, who is now 33 years old.
Reportedly set to improve their opening offer, which was quickly rejected (Sky Sports Italy), United certainly seem keen to recruit the former Stoke City and West Ham striker.
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A potential move for Arnautovic has drawn a lot of criticism and certainly hasn’t gone down well with the vast majority of fans, which is understandable given his age and the fact he is no longer a household name.
Reacting to the surprise reports, super-agent Rob Segal, whose clients have included full-back, Brandon Williams, feels if United do land Bologna’s number nine, it will prove the club have no plan in place.
“I could not believe it when I saw recent reports suggesting Manchester United have made a bid for Marko Arnautovic,” Segal told CaughtOffside.
“If any club does that kind of business, there is no way they can then come out and say ‘we have a long-term plan in place’.
“I just cannot work this one out and it’s hard not to feel sorry for the fans. One of their biggest rivals, Manchester City, have just signed Erling Haaland and here Manchester United are, in the running for an average 33-year-old former Stoke City player, who is also proven to be a problematic player.
“It just stinks of desperation.”
It’s a mess of a signing. Man u should do all in their powers to sign Gakpo who is a young talent as they have missed out on Sesko whom most fans had wished will come to old Trafford.our transfer policy for now is lacking fire power