Milan hand Man Utd unexpected transfer boost

Stuart Telford

• 21 Jul 2023 19:50 BST
• 3 min read

AC Milan have pulled out of a deal to sign Daichi Kamada from Eintracht Frankfurt, giving Manchester United a clear shot at signing the Japan midfielder on a free transfer.

Kamada shot to prominence on Eintracht's run to Europa League glory in 2022, with six goals in 10 games, including one against Premier League side West Ham. He also found the target against Arsenal in the previous campaign.

One of the best players in the Bundesliga not playing for Bayern Munich, Kamada's contract with Frankfurt was up this summer, and he was expected to join up with Milan having already agreed personal terms with the Rossoneri.

READ: Man Utd offload TWO stars to Premier League rival - Fabrizio Romano

But that transfer now looks to have fallen through, with the Serie A side reserving a non-EU spot in their squad for Samuel Chukwueze, Villarreal's Nigerian winger whom they are now prioritising.

'Kamada deal could collapse'

"AC Milan are working to seal a Chukwueze deal very soon," tweeted transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano. "It means that the Daichi Kamada deal would collapse.

"Kamada had a verbal agreement with Milan but the deal looks set to collapse due to full extra non-EU spots. AC Milan have chosen Chukwueze. Kamada, available as free agent soon."

READ: Why Man Utd have FFP problems

Whilst Kamada will be bitterly disappointed, the move could be music to the ears of Man Utd. The Red Devils were linked with a move for the Japanese in March, and the prospect of signing a player compared to former Red Devils star Shinji Kagawa on a free could prove too good to turn down.

United have spent most of the £120 million summer budget on Mason Mount and Andre Onana - who arrived from Chelsea and Inter Milan respectively, so signing Kamada wouldn't get them into further FFP trouble.

As a Japan international, who could also help with Zion Suzuki's integration, with the Urawa Red Diamonds goalkeeper set to arrive in a £5m deal to act as Onana's understudy.