Manchester United are having a difficult summer when it comes to making new signings and it was no different during Erik ten Hag’s first transfer window at Old Trafford in 2022
The brother and agent of former Manchester United target Marko Arnautovic has revealed how close the striker was to completing a shock move to Old Trafford. In the summer of 2022, Erik ten Hag’s first transfer window as United manager, the Red Devils were looking to sign a striker.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s future was uncertain and Edinson Cavani had left the club. In a surprising development, Arnautovic emerged as a target for United, having enjoyed a prolific season with Bologna aged 33.
The Austria international had made an impressive return to Europe after two years in China following his time at West Ham and Stoke City in the Premier League. United moved on their interest and submitted a £7million bid which was rejected and they ultimately abandoned their pursuit.
Fans also wrote to Red Devils CEO Richard Arnold after Arnautovic had been accused of using an anti-Albanian slur during Austria’s game against North Macedonia at the European Championship two years prior. UEFA issued him with a one-match ban after the incident, prompting Arnautovic to deny that he was a racist following another accusation in 2009.
His brother has now revealed what caused the move to break down. During a recent interview with Austrian outlet ORF, agent Danijel Arnautovic said: “My favourite at the time was always Manchester United, I had three of four offers for him back then.
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“I wanted to do that at the time because I thought he would fit in well there and also when he was at Bologna, it was already like… I don’t think it’s ever really been mentioned, but I can also say now that Marko was very close to a transfer to Manchester United.
“In 2022, he could have come to Manchester United. We already reached an agreement back then, everything. But Bologna didn’t let him go back then.”
Arnautovic gave his side of the story a few months after the failed move, describing United as the ‘top of the universe’. “Manchester United tried to sign me several times,” the ex-Inter Milan star, who’s now a free agent, told Laola1.
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“And it was a difficult decision to stay in Italy because my family wanted to return to England. For me it’s clear that the Red Devils remain at the top of the universe.
“And Bologna, as a name, are not. But that’s fine. Here everything is calm, you have time for yourself and no stress. This is only good for me.”
Arnautovic is looking for his next club after being released by Inter in June, having spent two years at San Siro. The 36-year-old has been tipped to sign for Serbian giants Crvena Zvezda, formerly known as Red Star Belgrade, after initially holding talks over a return to his home city with Rapid Vienna.
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