Seven failed Man Utd summer transfer pursuits after club ‘pull out’ of Marko Arnautovic deal

Manchester United have reportedly pulled out of a deal to sign Marko Arnautovic from Bologna.

The Red Devils were initially interested in signing the 33-year-old striker, but a number of outlets now claim United will no longer pursue the transfer.

The Athletic claim the decision was made due to ‘complaints from fans’ regarding the move. Aurnautovic was suspended by Uefa in Euro 2020 for derogatory comments he made towards Gjanni Alioski of North Macedonia.

The former West Ham United and Stoke City man was also accused of using racist language towards Ibrahim Kargbo in 2009, although an investigation into the incident found no evidence against Arnautovic. But the incidents have resulted in United pulling out of the deal.

However, it’s not the first time a transfer has looked close for Erik ten Hag this summer, only for a move to collapse.

Here are seven players whose supposed United arrivals haven’t panned out in the current window.

Antony

United aren’t willing to meet Ajax’s valuation, so it’s a transfer that is dead in the water at present. The Red Devils were heavily linked with him in the early weeks of the window, although speculation has died recently.

Marko Arnautovic

There were immediate concerns whether Arnautovic was the right character for the Old Trafford dressing room, while there was also a common view that Arnautovic wouldn’t strengthen the squad.

Yves Bissouma

Was a reported target in January and at the start of the summer, but the midfielder ended up at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium rather than Old Trafford.

Darwin Nunez

Similar to Bissouma, the player’s mooted move to United didn’t matalerise, and he instead joined a Premier League rival. To compound matters, Nunez has scored two in as many games for Liverpool this season.

Christopher Nkunku

The Manchester Evening News reported he was a player suggested by Ralf Rangnick at the end of last season, but the Frenchman penned a new deal with RB Leipzig and remained at the club.

Benjamin Sesko

Speaking of Leipzig, the Bundesliga side secured the signing of Sesko, a player United were interested in. The 19-year-old was also linked with Chelsea.

Jurrien Timber

At one stage this summer, a deal to sign the Ajax centre-back seemed inevitable, until a certain Louis van Gaal stepped in. He supposedly told Timber he must be playing regularly in order to hold down a place in the Netherlands’ World Cup squad, and Timber opted to remain at the Amsterdam club.