Manchester United are trying to bring in more new signings but one young talent appears to have decided on a future away from Old Trafford.
Erik ten Hag is busy preparing for another Premier League campaign, his third in the Manchester United hot seat.
The Dutchman has seen United make two key signings this summer, bolstering his squad not just for now, but also for the future.
The first summer arrival was striker Joshua Zirkzee as he arrived from Bologna before wonderkid Lenny Yoro signed from Lille.
Moves for Matthijs de Ligt, Noussair Mazraoui and Manuel Ugarte are still in the pipeline too, with United still chasing big additions.
United are though set to learn of a confirmed departure after something of a contract stand-off in recent weeks.
Shola Shoretire set for surprise transfer
United’s retained list emerged in early June and there was no surprise over some departures.
Raphael Varane and Anthony Martial were let go and Brandon Williams was released having seen his development stall.
There was one situation which was left unresolved though as the future of Shola Shoretire was unclear.
United announced that discussions were still ongoing with Shoretire as he approached the final weeks of his contract.
United still felt that Shoretire was better off staying and developing at Old Trafford having been with the club since the age of nine.
However, reports later in June suggested that Shoretire was expected to move on and seek a new opportunity elsewhere.
Shoretire still features on United’s site as part of the first team squad but he is now all set for a move away.
Fabrizio Romano reports that Shoretire is now set for a surprise move to Greece with PAOK.
Romano claims that clubs in England, Spain, the United States and Saudi Arabia were all interested in signing Shoretire.
The 20-year-old has instead decided to move to Greece though, with a verbal agreement now in place.
Shoretire will now travel to Greece and finalise his deal in the coming days, bringing an official end to his time with United.
- READ MORE: Manchester United confirmed signings, transfers in, out, loan exits, releases for 2024/25
Shoretire set to chase Champions League action
Leaving United after more than a decade with the club will not have been easy for Shoretire.
PAOK are offering an intriguing project though having won the Greek title under Răzvan Lucescu last season.
That title win means PAOK will be in the Champions League qualifiers this summer, handing Shoretire a potential chance to play in Europe’s top competition.
PAOK are 3-2 up against Bosnian side Borac Banja Luka in the second qualifying round, and seeing through the second leg this week would tee up a clash against Malmo or Klaksvik for a spot in the playoff round.
PAOK still have quite the journey ahead in order to reach the group stage, but Shoretire could help them on that path.
Former Premier League players such as Willian Troost-Ekong, Jonny Otto, Baba Rahman and Mbwana Samatta are already in the PAOK squad and Shoretire is set to join them.
We may well see Shoretire thriving on the Champions League stage in the coming months but only time will tell whether his decision to head abroad will pay off, as it has for Angel Gomes.
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