‘It was close’ – El Ghazi opens up on Manchester United transfer talks

Former Aston Villa winger Anwar El Ghazi has revealed he was close to joining Manchester United last year.

Although talks took place over a potential transfer, El Ghazi says it was unfortunate that a deal didn’t materialise.

“It was true we were in talks but there was nothing concrete,” El Ghazi told the BBC’s Shamoon Hafez. “I was a free agent after leaving PSV and they were struggling to find wingers. They were exploring the market. It was close but unfortunately it didn’t go through.”

Asked El Ghazi about links to #MUFC last September: “It was true we were in talks but there was nothing concrete. I was a free agent after leaving PSV and they were struggling to find wingers.

“They were exploring the market. It was close but unfortunately it didn’t go through.”

— Shamoon Hafez (@ShamoonHafez) June 3, 2024

What next for El Ghazi?

El Ghazi is a free agent again after leaving FSV Mainz 05 in November after making just three appearances for the Bundesliga side.

The Dutch attacker has Premier League experience from spells at Aston Villa and Everton, which lasted four years.

It was suggested that El Ghazi was the answer after Jadon Sancho fell out of favour with Erik ten Hag, after accusing the manager of lying with an ill-advised social media post.

While many fans would have turned their nose up at the 29-year-old, there is no denying that El Ghazi would have been a useful option while Antony was absent from the squad due to ongoing legal issues.

It’s not the profile of signing we should be making now if Ineos plan to change the club’s strategy in the transfer market.

I hope the days of signing players like Odion Ighalo and Radamel Falcao, who were past their best, are gone.

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