Manchester United have made a last-minute attempt to sign Julio Enciso from Brighton and Hove Albion, potentially stealing him from Ipswich Town.
That’s according to Tuttomercatoweb, who report that Manchester Untied made a last-minute attempt for him as a replacement for Alejandro Garnacho.
They explain that Atalanta had been in the mix for Enciso, who Brighton are willing to let leave on loan this month. He was someone they looked at several times and considered a move for, but Brighton did a deal with Ipswich on loan while they pondered it.
They’ve stolen a march on several clubs, with Valencia and Borussia Dortmund also in the mix and missing out.
Brighton preferred to keep him in the Premier League as he’ll become a homegrown player next year after arriving in 2022. Thus, Ipswich are an ideal solution. Kieran McKenna has also convinced the midfielder of the move, phoning him to convince him of joining them over others.
There was, though, apparently a last-minute approach from Manchester United. They contacted Brighton and held talks about a move, seeing Enciso as a potential replacement for Garnacho. He’s edging closer to a move to Napoli.
An attempt was even made even though the move to Ipswich was agreed, but there was no time and he’ll be heading to join up with McKenna’s side.
This is backed up by journalist Christian Martin, who provided details on the matter in a conversation with Paraguay’s Versus.
“What I can tell you is that at the last minute of yesterday’s day, a call from Manchester United arrived,” he said.
“Manchester United wanted Julio to be potentially the replacement in case Garnacho goes to Napoli or another club, there are several interested, Garnacho has had a problem with Amorim.
“The situation is not the same in the club that he grew up, Garnacho has been playing for many years as a youth player and immediately came the call from the United board to attempt Julio.
“The answer of the Paraguayan, thank you but no thank you, I want to play. Julio turns 21 tomorrow, we are already talking about a Paraguayan boy on the other side of the world in the most competitive league that is fighting for his future and really say no to Borussia Dortmund, say no to Manchester United, say no to Valencia, prioritise that, playing, he wants to play from the start.”