A general view of a Manchester United corner flag on the pitch ahead of the UEFA Europa League 2024/25 League Phase MD7 match between Manchester United and Rangers FC at Old Trafford on January 23, 2025 in Manchester, England.A general view of a Manchester United corner flag on the pitch ahead of the UEFA Europa League 2024/25 League Phase MD7 match between Manchester United and Rangers FC at Old Trafford on January 23, 2025 in Manchester, England.
A general view of a Manchester United corner flag on the pitch ahead of the UEFA Europa League 2024/25 League Phase MD7 match between Manchester United and Rangers FC at Old Trafford on January 23, 2025 in Manchester, England. | Getty Images
Manchester United are hoping to secure Champions League qualification to bolster their summer transfer plans
Manchester United are preparing for the biggest game of their season as they take on Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League final on Wednesday night - but first they must negotiate a Premier League trip to Chelsea.
United’s season is riding on the result of the Europa League final in Bilbao. Victory will give them a first piece of silverware under Amorim but also earn them a spot in next season’s Champions League. That will give them a revenue boost and make them a more attractive proposition for potential targets.
Man Utd ‘launch bid’ for Oihan Sancet
According to reports in Spain from Fichajes, United have ‘launched a bid’ for Athletic Club ace Oihan Sancet. The 25-year-old has scored 17 goals and provided three assists from attacking midfield this campaign.
He was absent for both legs of the Europa League semi-final against United, as Athletic Club missed his firepower. The Red Devils dumped the Spanish club out with a 7-1 aggregate win to set up their final meeting with Spurs.
He has a £67m (€80m) release clause in his contract and the Spanish club are “not willing to negotiate his transfer” meaning any offer would have to match his release clause. The player himself would also have to agree to the move even if the release clause was met by United. However, Fichajes claim that despite the potential difficulties presented by the deal, a transfer this summer remains ‘a real possibility’.
Oihan Sancet hailed as one of the best players Athletic Club has seen
The midfielder has spent his whole career with Athletic Club, scoring 42 goals and providing 18 assists in 191 games. He is under contract until 2032, with his commitment to the club making him a potentially-tricky target - even if United stump up the £67m fee for the release clause.
Sancet is clearly well liked by his teammates, with defender Yeray Alvarez issuing this praise for him earlier in the season: “We witness him day in and day out during training; he is always smiling and brings such positive energy. No speculation should arise about him. We are fully aware of Oihan’s potential.
“Personally, I believe he is, if not the very best, certainly one of the best players Athletic has ever had and will have. He is a game-changer, and we significantly need those goals from him.”
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