On Friday, we covered two stories from Serbia on Filip Stevanović and Manchester United.
The first one was very bullish, claiming Partisan were selling the 17 year old for €12m, and the Red Devils would then loan him back for a season.
Then Vladimir Vuletić, Partisan’s Vice President, was quoted as saying: “The negotiations are ongoing.”
Stevanović himself helped the rumours along by taking to social media and posting an image of himself at Old Trafford. It was all peak transfer window stuff, but then came denials from Manchester United, via various journalists, that they don’t even have an interest.
That in itself means nothing, the Premier League club repeatedly denied they were keen on Bruno Fernandes, despite having an interest in him since February 2019.
Anyway, today’s Serbian slant is that a deal is not yet done, and Manchester United have competition. Kurir go with a headline stating ‘Filip Stevanović was not sold to the Red Devils’.
They go on to state interest from Old Trafford ‘exists’, however, Lyon and several Bundesliga clubs are also credited with an interest.
Lyon have been linked repeatedly and seemed to have a genuine interest in the player, so they’re unlikely to give up without a fight. If Manchester United’s desire for the transfer has been exaggerated, or even fabricated, then it could be a measure to pressure the French club.
