Freiburg Striker Igor Matanovic Denies Manchester United and Tottenham Transfer Rumours

Igor Matanovic, the Freiburg striker, has addressed recent rumours linking him with moves to Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur. After a strong start to the Bundesliga season, the 23-year-old forward insists his focus remains on performing for Julian Schuster's team.

Premier League Interest Reported

Both Manchester United and Tottenham have reportedly shown interest in signing Matanovic. The Premier League clubs want to strengthen their attacking options, with United particularly looking for a replacement for Joshua Zirkzee, who is linked with Fiorentina.

Despite this buzz, Matanovic shut down the transfer talk following his goal against Werder Bremen, which marked his fourth goal in four matches this season.

No Contact with Other Clubs

When asked about potential offers, Matanovic gave a clear response: "As far as I’m concerned, I’m currently at Freiburg. There has been absolutely no contact with anyone from my side." Standing at 6ft 5in, he credited his current form more to mental strength than just physical training.

"People think success comes from hard training, which is true, but football is mainly a mental game. When you're clear-headed and confident, things work out. If you overthink or lose confidence, it doesn't," he explained.

Breakthrough Season at Freiburg

Matanovic’s value soared after moving from Eintracht Frankfurt to Freiburg last summer. He scored 15 goals across all competitions in his debut season, helping Freiburg reach the Europa League final, where they lost to Aston Villa.

Reflecting on the move, he said, "Yes, of course, joining Freiburg was the best choice. It was a big step, and thanks to Freiburg, I made it to the World Cup, which was a huge achievement for me as a young player." Although he didn’t score in appearances against England, Ghana, and Portugal at the tournament, the experience boosted his confidence this season.

Contract and Future Prospects

Matanovic is contracted with Freiburg until June 2029, so the club is in no rush to sell. With the transfer window closing on Tuesday, both United and Spurs will need to act fast if they want to submit an offer.

Unless Freiburg receives an irresistible bid, Matanovic will continue spearheading their attack in the Bundesliga. His main goal now is to keep scoring and help maintain the team’s strong start to the season.

• Player: Igor Matanovic
• Current Club: Freiburg
• Age: 23
• Height: 6ft 5in
• Goals this season: 4 in 4 matches
• Contract Length: Until June 2029
• Previous Club: Eintracht Frankfurt
• International Experience: Played in 2026 World Cup for Croatia