Such is the harsh nature of the footballing hierarchy, we’ve seen this sort of thing before.
Like when Borussia Dortmund took Europe by storm, only to lose Robert Lewandowski, Mario Gotze and Mats Hummels to bitter rivals Bayern Munich.
Like when Monaco stormed to the French title and the Champions League semi-finals before seeing Kylian Mbappe, Bernardo Silva, Benjamin Mendy, Fabinho and more seize the opportunity to secure big-money departures.
Is it now Bologna’s time?
Manchester United are already closing in on a £34 million deal to sign striker Joshua Zirkzee, beating AC Milan to the Dutchman. Thiago Motta, the manager who took Bologna into the Champions League for the very first time, has left for Juventus.
Riccardo Calafiori is expected to depart too, Arsenal at the front of the queue.
Meanwhile, reports have suggested that Dan Ndoye could follow in Zirkzee’s footsteps at Old Trafford, with Gianluca di Marzio indicating that the £21 million-rated Switzerland international could be the man brought in to provide some cover in the wide areas for Erik ten Hag’s side.
Manchester United like Joshua Zirkzee’s Bologna teammtae
Ndoye, while clearly far from the finished product, is certainly the sort of talent Ineos are prioritising at Man United. Young, hungry, versatile and affordable.
He played as a right-winger during Switzerland’s run to the quarter-finals of Euro 2024 but has also featured on the left, at full-back, in the centre and even as a striker in his club career.
On Tuesday, the 23-year-old’s agent broke his silence on the Man United links. And, Fahd Adamson says, United’s interest should come as no surprise when you consider that Ndoye has already represented the two other Ineos-ran teams.
Could he make it a hat-trick this summer?
“Well, that’s kind of obvious,” is Adamson’s response when asked about that Red Devils interest, speaking to Blick. “United belongs to Ineos and Dan has already played for the other Ineos clubs, Nice and Lausanne.
“Let’s see what comes of it.
“We need to discuss this with Dan and his family. It needs to be carefully considered to avoid making a wrong career move.”
Dan Ndoye is a big favourite of Ineos
Ndoye started his career with Lausanne in Switzerland before moving onto France with OGC Nice in 2020. It is at Bologna where he has really made his name, however, ending up in Serie A via a spell with Basel.
Ludovico Spinosi, another member of Ndoye’s entourage, told TV Play recently that a man who scored his first international goal against Germany in the Euro group-stages is ‘ready’ for a move to a ‘top club’.
“I can tell you about Ndoye that he is having a great European Championship,” Spinosi said.
“(While he has) skills to improve, he truly has everything to go to a top club. What I noticed together with my partners, (is that) he raised his level in important matches.
“He is ready to go to a superior team to Bologna. He would have no problems making an impact. And he showed that against Germany, beyond the goal.”
“I can tell you that he is paid attention to not only by Italian teams, but also by foreign ones,” the agent adds. “The lucky thing is that he finds himself at a club like Bologna. Super healthy, who will play in the Champions League.
“To date, there is nothing concrete other than expressions of interest. It is true that he is doing very well and everyone is realising how decisive he is in one-on-one situations, thanks to his speed. He can also play as a wing-back, despite being born as an offensive player.
“He is a complete player who, if he manages to be more decisive up front, will be at a top-tier club.”
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