Manchester United linked Antonio Nusa could see his £31.5 million move to the Premier League collapse after Brentford discovered an issue during the Norway international’s medical in West London.
What Brentford may lack in terms of stature and star-power, they make up for with the prospect of first-team opportunities.
Antonio Nusa had been scouted by Manchester United. The Red Devils are in the market for a potential Jadon Sancho replacement. Tottenham Hotspur then moved into pole position a fortnight ago, entering talks with Club Brugge.
Brentford soon and not-altogether-surprisingly overtook a pair of bonafide English giants, however. More regular first-team action in West London twisting Nusa’s arm, while a plan to send the 18-year-old back on loan to Club Brugge for the remainder of the season appealed greatly to his current employers.
Brentford’s impressive track record when it comes to developing talented young Scandinavians will also not have gone unnoticed. Nusa moved to Belgium after making quite the splash back home at Stabaek.
Manchester United like Antonio Nusa but so do Brentford
According to reports, however, all of Brentford’s good work may yet count for nothing. The Standard say that, after the Bees agreed a deal which could have reached in excess of £30 million, concerns raised during Nusa’s medical have left a move to Thomas Frank’s side hanging by a thread.
“Brentford’s deal for Antonio Nusa is now almost certainly off,” reporter Ben Jacobs writes on X. “Reason is due to knee and back issues (uncovered) during the medical. It’s understood the knee issue is potentially quite serious.”
Brentford are reportedly now looking to seek more information both from Club Brugge and from the Norwegian Football Federation as they consider whether or not to keep the discussions alive.
Deal under threat
It remains to be seen if The Bees opt to keep buzzing around Nusa. Or, indeed, whether Manchester United or Tottenham will be put off making rival bids of their own for a twinkle-toed teenager who has been labelled the ‘Norwegian Neymar’ in some quarters.
United, in particular, are almost certain to be in the market for a new wide forward in the summer. Sancho, barring a dramatic change in circumstances, is highly unlikely to ever pull on that iconic red shirt again. There are also major doubts surrounding Antony’s long-term future.
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