Manchester United’s chances of signing an Italian football star have improved. After Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s smart transaction, 17-year-old Simone Pafundi, Italy’s youngest senior international, has the chance to join Old Trafford.
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Udinese loaned Pafundi to Lausanne for a year. The agreement includes an option to make the transfer permanent for £12.8million, which would break the Swiss top-flight record set in 2009 when Alex Frei joined Nati from Borussia Dortmund for £5.5million.
Lausanne is owned by INEOS, United’s new minority stakeholder Ratcliffe’s firm. Blick said the British billionaire is using the opportunity to lure him to Old Trafford long-term.
If Pafundi impresses at his next club, the move will likely be permanent after 12 months. That will allow him to improve before Ratcliffe brings him to the Premier League.
Pafundi made his Serie A debut at 16—four months before Roberto Mancini’s shocking call-back to Italy. Injury halted his growth following the Under-20 World Cup last summer, when his side finished second to Uruguay.
The teenager’s pubic muscle irritation hampered him to 60 minutes for Udinese in 2023/24. However, the striker, compared to a youthful Lionel Messi, might excel in Switzerland.
Nice owner Ratcliffe completed his half buyout of United in December, purchasing a 25% share. The longtime fan is anticipated to manage the club’s daily operations, including transfers, while the Glazer family remains in charge.
