Club Brugge have decided that Joaquin Seys is not for sale amid 'concrete' interest from Manchester United, according to reports in Belgium. The 21-year-old left-back emerged as a possible plan B for United this summer, with top target Lewis Hall expected to remain at Newcastle despite the player's desire to move to Old Trafford.
United's Search for a Left-Back Hits a Wall
The Red Devils have been scouring the market for a full-back to provide support and competition for Luke Shaw, and time is running out before the transfer deadline. Fulham's Antonee Robinson and Racing Santander's Jorge Salinas are believed to be on United's shortlist of alternatives to Hall, along with Seys, who is considered one of the brightest young talents in Belgian football.
Seys made 55 appearances in all competitions for Brugge last season, playing an integral role in helping his boyhood team clinch the Belgian Pro League title for a seventh time in the last decade. His performances earned him a call-up to Belgium's squad for this summer's World Cup, where he impressed with a cameo against Spain's Lamine Yamal in the quarter-finals.
Brugge's Stance: 'Out of the Question'
According to Belgian newspaper HLN, United continue to express 'concrete interest' in Seys, but Club Brugge have been 'clear' that the youngster is central to their plans and will not be sold. A summer transfer is now completely 'out of the question', and Seys has been informed that he will 'not be allowed to leave' under any circumstances.
The report states that even if United submitted an offer in the region of the record £34 million fee that Brugge accepted for Christos Tzolis from Arsenal, Seys would still be denied a move. Rangers left-back Tuur Rommens had been mooted as a potential replacement, but Brugge have cooled their interest. The Belgian champions do wish to bring in back-up for Seys following the departure of Bjorn Meijer to Sampdoria.
Manager's Praise and Contract Details
Speaking to De Morgen earlier this month, Brugge head coach Ivan Leko fuelled the rumours linking Seys with United, tipping the youngster to take English football by storm. 'I see him reaching the absolute top of the Premier League. In my opinion, he has no ceiling,' Leko said. 'He has the talent, the character, and above all, the right mentality.'
In a separate interview, Leko admitted he was 'proud' to hear that Seys had been identified as a target for clubs like United and Arsenal. 'I'm proud that my guys are being linked to those clubs,' he said. 'We chat about it every now and then. How much of those rumours is true? I don't know. But we all have eyes in our heads: their potential is incredible.'
Seys' current contract with Brugge runs through to June 2029, meaning United will need to look elsewhere or wait for a future opportunity to secure the Belgian international.
