Man Utd's Sancho replacement? Romano sets record straight on winger links

Tom Weber

• Updated: 30 Aug 2024 18:29 BST
• 3 min read

Lille will not entertain offers for star winger Edon Zhegrova, according to Fabrizio Romano.

The Kosovo international established himself as one of Ligue 1's most exciting wide players last season and this has naturally attracted the attention of bigger clubs.

The 25-year-old netted 12 times and contributed 10 assists in 2023/24 and already has three goals in four outings in Champions League qualification for Lille this term.

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Zhegrova's explosive form has given rise to intense speculation surrounding his future, with talk of a late Deadline Day swoop hotting up in recent hours.

Fulham and Man Utd have been associated with the winger, but Fabrizio Romano has now set the record straight on these links.

Zhegrova won't move

Taking to X, the Italian transfer expert has dismissed rumours about an impending move, insisting that Lille have no intention to sanction a late exit of one of their most important attackers.

This is also echoed by French media. Le Parisien reports that Fulham were readying a formal offer but that the Ligue 1 side have held firm and won't budge from their not-for-sale stance.

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Man Utd, of course, have a history with Lille, having signed Leny Yoro for up to €70 million from them earlier this window. Given that Lille were desperate to sell to the Red Devils following their bid, one would think that the two clubs would have an excellent relationship.

However, this still hasn't been enough to get them to sell Zhegrova in what would have been a spectacular move to replace the apparently Chelsea-bound Jadon Sancho.

The latter is now the subject of several official bids from the Blues and there is an expectation that a deal will be struck before today's deadline. Zhegrova could have come in to take Sancho's place.