World Cup star approves £86m Man Utd transfer after rejecting Newcastle

Manchester United have been handed a significant boost in their pursuit of Borussia Dortmund and Germany World Cup star Felix Nmecha.

Nmecha, 25, has enjoyed a bright start to the World Cup in America, scoring in Germany’s opening 7-1 win over Curacao and then helping Julian Nagelsmann’s side beat Group E rivals Ivory Coast.

Germany suffered a surprise defeat to Ecuador in their final group game but still finished top of Group E to earn themselves a last-32 clash with Paraguay.

Nmecha was linked with a big summer move before the World Cup but interest in the German has only increased following his impressive performances in the United States.

The 25-year-old has been a mainstay in the Borussia Dortmund team over the past three seasons, making over 100 appearances for the German giants.

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Manchester United have been linked with Nmecha as they look to bolster Michael Carrick’s midfield options.

Brazil international Ederson is set to become Carrick’s first United signing but Old Trafford bosses want at least one more midfielder to arrive through the doors.

Manchester United have made midfield their priority concern this summer as Casemiro left at the end of the season and Manuel Ugarte was linked with a move before his horror World Cup injury.

Club legend Gary Neville backed United to sign Nmecha ahead of key target Mateus Fernandes earlier in the World Cup.

‘The more he plays like he did the other night the more expensive he’ll get,’ Neville told ITV.

‘But at the moment, we hear Manchester United are being quoted £100 million for the West Ham boy Fernandes, so they’re going to have to be looking around this tournament and parts of Europe.

Former Arsenal striker Ian Wright added: ‘When you look at him he breaks lines, he gets into the box, he’s got Kimmich to come in and fill in for him.

‘He can play as a No.8 or No.10, we can see he can finish, you can see why teams are interested in him. He’s got everything.’

Manchester United were subsequently quoted 100m euros (£86m) to sign Nmecha from Dortmund despite the presence of a release clause in his current contract.

Clubs will be able to sign Nmecha for £75.5m once that clause in his deal is activating in the summer of 2027 before it drops to £60m the following summer.

Newcastle United entered the race to sign the Manchester City academy graduate over the weekend, with Eddie Howe keen to bolster his squad at St James’ Park following a poor season.

Newcastle are also targeting a new midfielder as Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes continue to be linked with moves away from the club.

But German outlet Bild say Nmecha favours a move to Manchester United while he is also open to a return to Manchester City, where he spent over a decade as a youth player.

Real Madrid and Bayern Munich have also been linked with moves for Nmecha, who made just three appearances for boyhood club Man City before being sold in 2021.

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