Bundesliga striker speaks out over surprise Man Utd transfer rumour

Igor Matanovic has played down rumours linking him with Manchester United and Tottenham, insisting his focus remains with Freiburg at the start of the new season.

The 23-year-old striker left Eintracht Frankfurt to join Freiburg in an €8million (£6.9m) deal last summer and went on to score 15 goals in all competitions across a promising campaign with the Bundesliga club.

The towering centre-forward – who stands at 6 ft 5 in – will have been desperate to cap off a fine debut season with Freiburg by getting his hands on Europa League trophy, but it wasn’t to be for Julian Schuster’s men, who were swept aside by Aston Villa in the final.

Last week, La Gazzetta dello Sport suggested Matanovic’s performances had made the Croatian a target for Serie A outfit Fiorentina, who are on the hunt for an attacker to replace the Como-bound Moise Kean.

However, Fiorentina’s pursuit was said to be ‘ambitious’ considering Matanovic also finds himself in the crosshairs of Premier League giants United and Spurs.

It was claimed securing a deal for Matanovic ahead of Tuesday’s transfer deadline was likely to prove ‘difficult’ but not necessarily ‘impossible’.

On the pitch, Matanovic has managed to block out the incessant speculation and noise over his future to kick off the season in imperious fashion, racking up four goals in his opening four matches for Freiburg.

After finding the net in Freiburg’s Bundesliga opener with Werder Bremen on Sunday, the Croatia international was directly asked about the rumours that had been circulating in the preceeding days.

‘As far as I’m concerned, I’m currently at Freiburg,’ Matanovic replied.

‘There has been absolutely no contact with anyone from my side.’

Matanovic puts his outstanding form over the last 12 months down to a combination of hard graft on the training ground and a clear mindset.

‘The first thing people think of is that success is due to hard training and that’s largely true,’ he explained.

‘But I believe that football is much more a mental game.

‘If you’re clear-headed, not overthinking, and not hesitating, then that’s how things happen.’

‘If I’m overthinking, starting to brood, and lacking self-confidence, then it doesn’t work.’

Asked if his move to Freiburg was one of the best decisions he has made in his career, Matanovic replied: ‘Yes, of course. The answer is obvious. It was a huge step.

‘Thanks to Freiburg, I also made it to the World Cup, which was a tremendous success for me as a young player.’

Matanovic’s current contract with Freiburg is not due to expire until June 2029.

The imposing attacker made three appearances for Croatia without finding the net at this summer’s World Cup, coming off the bench against England, Ghana and Portugal.

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