Genoa’s £35 million-rated forward Albert Gudmundsson has opened up on his childhood admiration for Manchester United amid reports linking the Iceland international with a move to the Premier League.
It is surprising, really, that Manchester United are yet to be be mentioned in conjunction a move for one of Serie A’s rising stars.
Like most of the players who have arrived at Old Trafford in the Erik ten Hag era, Albert Gudmundsson made his name in the Eredivisie, coming up against the Red Devils boss during his time at AZ Alkmaar.
So far, however, the reports suggesting Gudmundsson could be on his way to England have focused not on Man United but on the likes of Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur instead.
Albert Gudmundsson could be England-bound
Either way, the versatile, ever-improving attacker appears likely to be on the move sooner rather than later, Genoa’s £35 million asking price putting off Fiorentina but unlikely to keep him out of the clutches of bigger clubs for too much longer.
“The last few days of the winter transfer window were a bit special, but I’m happy to have stayed at Genoa,” Gudmundsson tells DAZN. “I feel I can achieve the objectives I set for myself here.”
Only four players in Italy’s top flight have more than his nine goals this season; Olivier Giroud, Dusan Vlahovic, Mathias Soule and the Golden Boot winner-in-waiting Lautaro Martinez. Gudmundsson, who has come on leaps and bounds since joining Genoa for just £1 million two years ago, even scored a fine free-kick in the recent 1-1 draw with Bologna.
A goal his boyhood idol would have been proud of.
“When I was little, (my hero) was David Beckham,” the 26-year-old adds. “Because my dad, a big Manchester United fan, always showed me the games.”
Serie A star idolises Manchester United legend
With Man United seemingly in the market for a new forward or two – Pedro Neto, Michael Olise, Johan Bakayoko among those linked in recent weeks – there may still be time for Gudmundsson to convince the Red Devils’ new decision-makers that he also deserves a place on their summer wishlist.
Former Inter Milan ace Borja Valero draws comparisons between the stylish, intelligent Gudmundsson and Arsenal icon Santi Cazorla. Genoa team-mate Kevin Strootman, meanwhile, is reminded of a certain Mo Salah during their time together at Roma, the Egyptian becoming a regular source of goals in the Italian capital before exploding at Liverpool.
Who is to say Gudmundsson cannot do the same if he follows Salah to England?
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