Matanovic’s Reported £50m Price Widens Premier League Race

Manchester United are not alone in pursuing Freiburg striker Igor Matanovic, with the 23-year-old reportedly open to a Premier League move and now valued at around £50 million.

That is not confirmation he has chosen England, let alone Old Trafford. Mark Brus reported in his Caught Offside column that Arsenal and Chelsea have joined United in the picture; The Peoples Person carried the report but rated its overall credibility at 5/10, cautioning that Matanovic may not have decided his future.

What has been reported about Matanovic’s stance?

Brus wrote: “We were recently informed of Manchester United discussing Matanovic internally, and I can now add that Arsenal and Chelsea have frequently had officials at his games this season.” The claim points to growing attention, but the reported scouting activity is not confirmation that any club has made an offer.

An unnamed source told Brus that Matanovic would be open to moving to England if offers came in. That suggests a willingness to consider the Premier League, not a final decision or agreement with a club.

Why United could pursue a striker

The Peoples Person says United want more bite in attack and could consider a mid-season move around the turn of the year. Its report describes Joshua Zirkzee as having struggled to impress and not started a game this season, while Benjamin Sesko has had recent injury problems. Those are the outlet’s account of the squad picture, rather than confirmation of a transfer plan.

Form and reported valuation sharpen the race

Matanovic’s start to the campaign helps explain why his name is drawing attention. Transfermarkt figures reproduced by The Peoples Person credit him with six goals and two assists in seven appearances across competitions, including three goals and one assist in four Bundesliga matches.

Brus reported that Matanovic could have been available for around £30 million in the summer, but that his valuation has since risen to approximately £50 million. He also said Freiburg value the striker in a similar bracket to Johan Manzambi, whom the report says the club sold to Aston Villa for £50 million.

A January approach has been suggested, but no formal bid or settled decision from Matanovic is established by the report. United, Arsenal and Chelsea would first have to turn reported interest into an offer capable of testing Freiburg’s reported valuation.