Manchester United target Sasa Kalajdzic is set to undergo a medical with Wolverhampton Wanderers after they agreed a £15.4million deal with Stuttgart.
The 6ft 7in striker was advised to stay at his current club by Ralf Rangnick, who became his manager for the Austrian national team after United's plan to appoint him as a consultant following a torrid spell as interim boss role failed to come to fruition. Kalajdzic had been linked with a move to Old Trafford earlier this summer, with his contract at Stuttgart expiring in less than 12 months' time.
Despite Rangnick's preference for him to stay with the Bundesliga club, Wolves have pounced to secure his signature four days before the summer transfer window slams shut. According to the Express and Star, United, Brighton and Everton all showed interest in the 25-year-old, but it's Bruno Lage and co who appear to have won the race.
Kalajdzic's decision is at odds with what Rangnick suggested would be his best option back in June, telling Sky Austria : "It is important that Sasa stays injury-free this season and trains and plays at the highest possible level. If he stays in Stuttgart this season, it will not be a disadvantage for his development."
Now the soon-to-be ex-Stuttgart hitman has taken that risk, as Wolves are confident of sealing the deal well before Thursday's 11pm deadline. Kalajdzic was left out of his current club's squad as they travelled to Koln on Saturday for a 0-0 draw. The Austria international recently spoke about his future, expressing his desire for clarity on his future in Germany.
Kalajdzic told Dazn : "I don't know myself how my future will turn out but that will become apparent in the next few weeks or as soon as possible, but I can't influence many things either."
Get involved! Should Man Utd have made a move for Kalajdzic? Let us your verdict in the comments section.
Although his tally of six league goals in 15 games last season isn't anything spectacular, the fact he hit 16 in 33 during the 2020-21 campaign speaks volumes about his potential. Kalajdzic also has three assists in three Bundesliga games this season, demonstrating his ability to create goals as well as score them.
That's something which United manager Erik ten Hag hopes to add to his squad before Thursday, having declared following Saturday's 1-0 win at Southampton that the Red Devils will work right up until the deadline in order to get deals over the line.
"We stick to the plan and if there are good players available we will strike because we want to strengthen the squad always," Ten Hag affirmed. "So we will be alert until the last second of the window."
