Manchester United have joined Tottenham Hotspur and Fiorentina in the race to sign Freiburg striker Igor Matanovic, according to reports.
Thursday’s print edition of Gazzetta dello Sport, via Sport Witness, revealed that both United and Spurs are targeting Matanovic ahead of the September 1 transfer deadline.
The 23-year-old Croatian scored 15 goals in 50 appearances for Freiburg during the 2025-26 campaign, attracting considerable attention from clubs across Europe’s top leagues.
Sources close to the agents industry have confirmed that Manchester United have discussed a potential move for Matanovic internally, signalling genuine interest from Old Trafford.
At 6ft 4in, Matanovic offers a powerful physical presence, but his mobility and finishing in Germany suggest he is more than simply a traditional target man.
The Red Devils have already completed the signings of Carlos Baleba, Youri Tielemans, Andrey Santos, Karl Darlow, and Tynan Thompson, yet a striker remains firmly on their agenda.
Ben Jacobs has said that United will be “alert” to signing a new striker if Joshua Zirkzee finds a new home before the transfer window closes.
United are currently in discussions with Fiorentina over a loan move for Zirkzee, with the Italian club reportedly willing to pay a loan fee of €5m for the Dutch forward.
Fiorentina are also pursuing Matanovic as a replacement for Moise Kean, who is bound for Como, though interest from United and Tottenham is described as “likely to cause problems” for that pursuit.
A deal for the striker, described in Italian media as the “heir to Mario Mandzukic” in Croatian football, is considered “difficult but not impossible” for any interested party.
Tottenham remain firmly in contention for Matanovic despite already securing Omar Marmoush on an initial loan from Manchester City, which carries a £60 million obligation to buy.
If Spurs are to move for Matanovic, it is widely understood they would first need to offload either Richarlison or Dominic Solanke before the window shuts.
With Marmoush heading to Tottenham and Fiorentina increasingly focused on the Zirkzee deal, United could find themselves with a clearer path to signing the Freiburg forward.