According to two separate reports from Mirror Football this morning, the agent of Samir Handanovic has confirmed Manchester United were targeting the Inter Milan goalkeeper during the summer, whilst Manchester City want to sign Andrea Pirlo on loan in January.
Handanovic is regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in Serie A, having claimed the division’s Goalkeeper of the Year award twice since 2011, and was linked with Manchester United during the summer as his San Siro contract entered its final year.
And according to Le10Sport via Mirror Football, agent Federico Pastorello has now confirmed United’s interest in the 79-cap Slovenia international. He said; “All I know is that [he] was an alternative to David De Gea in case of departure of the latter. Now [he] is preparing to extend its fight with Inter and he is very happy.”
The 31 year-old is close to agreeing a contract extension with Nerazzurri.
Meanwhile, Manchester City are hoping to sign Andrea Pirlo on loan in January but face competition, coincidentally, from Inter Milan.
The 36 year-old is widely regarded as one of the greatest midfielders of his generation, having won two Champions League titles with AC Milan and the 2006 World Cup with Italy, and moved to MLS outfit New York City FC during the summer after reaching the 2015 Champions League final with Juventus.
NYCFC is 80% owned by City’s Skeikh backers, a relationship which saw former England international Frank Lampard join the Eithad ranks on loan last season, and the veteran playmaker is reportedly keen on returning to Europe during the MLS off-season to improve his chances of making Antonio Conte’s squad for Euro 2016.
However, ex-Citizens boss Roberto Mancini is also interested in signing Pirlo, in a loan move that would see him return to former club Inter Milan. The midfielder spent three years with Nerazzurri before joining local rivals AC Milan in 2001.