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Man United target likened to Jude Bellingham has already chosen next club, says Milan director

Originally posted on HITC | By Vatsal Gupta | Last updated Jul 7, 2025 3:01 PM ET

Manchester United’s summer transfer window, which started with promise, is now clearly being held back by caution, funding issues and other clubs acting faster.

Matheus Cunha got things moving early, becoming United’s first addition well before the window had picked up speed. But since then, Bryan Mbeumo talks are dragging on, Liam Delap has chosen Chelsea and the only other arrival is Diego Leon – who was actually signed back in January.

Now there’s more bad news. One midfielder long linked to United has made clear where he wants to play, and it’s not Old Trafford. For Ardon Jashari, the Club Brugge star, AC Milan is the clear preference.

Milan director Igli Tare confirmed the player’s intention, telling media: “Ardon Jashari wants to join us. He wants AC Milan. We have to respect Club Brugge and their decisions, but we also believe we’ve made an important proposal. We hope for a positive outcome for this deal.”

⚫️ AC Milan director Igli Tare: “Ardon Jashari wants to join us. He wants AC Milan”.

“We have to respect Club Brugge and their decisions but we also believe we’ve made an important proposal. We hope for positive outcome for this deal”. pic.twitter.com/pXhGXmXMO1
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 7, 2025

Man United always knew that Ardon Jashari would be a tough target

Jashari, who was named MVP of the Belgian league last season, drew comparisons to Jude Bellingham and even early-career Casemiro. His breakout campaign put him on the radar of several big clubs, and he represented an ideal midfield upgrade for United.

Ruben Amorim is keen to strengthen midfield once a striker is secured, but with priority deals still pending and AC Milan already positioning themselves ahead, United are falling behind

Amorim’s midfield wish list has Jashari on it – but with a striker yet to arrive and other gaps to fill, the Red Devils were never really in a position to compete.

Photo by Flaviu Buboi/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Red Devils must sell to strengthen squad

United’s financial reality meant that a player like Jashari – who carried a hefty price tag and wasn’t top of the urgency list – was always going to be a stretch. The club had already missed out on other targets and were still negotiating small payment details for ongoing deals.

The Glazer era’s lasting impact is still being felt, with INEOS forced to operate under tight constraints and the club now in a “sell to buy” position. Any deal beyond Mbeumo would likely require a departure from the existing squad first.

The Swiss international would have brought energy and balance to the midfield – something United sorely need. But the reality this summer is clear: not every hole in the squad can be filled, and letting Jashari go is now just another tough decision in their growing list..

This article first appeared on HITC and was syndicated with permission.

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