CEO suggests Manchester United are not in talks to sign £30m midfielder

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Premier League giants Manchester United are not one of the three clubs in talks to sign Sassuolo’s Davide Frattesi with the Italy international a target for Serie A’s biggest sides this summer. 

Gazzetta dello Sport reported back in March that Manchester United had sent scouts to watch the £30 million-rated midfielder in action for the Mapei Stadium outfit. 

But is Davide Frattesi to Mason Mount what, say, Randal Kolo Muani is to Harry Kane? If Mount and Kane are Erik ten Hag’s number one targets for the midfield and centre-forward positions, then Frattesi and Kolo Muani are presumably viewed at Old Trafford as back up options. 

Not the first-choice. Maybe not the second either. But a name further down the list. A contingency plan should Chelsea refuse to cave in to Mason Mount’s demands. A more affordable alternative to the likes of Moises Caicedo and Declan Rice. 

Davide Frattesi is a name on Man United’s wishlist

Frattesi will reportedly cost around £30 million. 

Reading between the lines, however, it seems that United are yet to step up their interest, the Red Devils omitted as Sassuolo CEO Giovani Carnevali names the three clubs currently in talks to sign a player who scored his first ever Italy goal during last week’s Nations League semi-final defeat to Spain. 

“We’re talking to Roma, Juventus and Inter,” Carneveli tells Il Messaggero.  

Rome-born Frattesi has spoken openly in the past about his desire to join his boyhood club, currently under the stewardship of former United boss Jose Mourinho.

Carnevali plays down suggestsions that his prized asset could replace the Newacstle United-bound Sandro Tonali at AC Milan, however. The Rossoneri, unlike city rivals Inter, have not enquired about the hard-running 23-year-old. 

“I hear about AC Milan, especially after the sale of Tonali,” the CEO adds. “But, at least so far, they have not asked.

“Do Roma have an advantage? The Giallorossi have a 30 per cent (chance). Frattesi hasn’t expressed any particular preferences, except to stay in the Italian league.”