Manchester United are reportedly considering a move for Lazio midfielder Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, according to Sky Sports. The potential transfer marks an unexpected turn in United’s summer rebuild of their midfield, following the departure of Casemiro and the expected sale of Manuel Ugarte.
United have already secured Atalanta’s Ederson for a reported €45 million and are seeking further reinforcements ahead of their return to the Champions League. The club is prioritizing squad depth over marquee signings, aiming to add at least one, potentially two, midfielders during the transfer window.
Dele-Bashiru, a 25-year-old Nigeria international, began his career in the Manchester City academy but never made a senior appearance for the club. He subsequently gained experience with 86 appearances for Sheffield Wednesday, followed by spells at Hatayspor in Turkey, and a loan move to Napoli before joining Lazio permanently last summer for a total fee of €5.4 million. He has made 18 appearances for his national team.
Last season, Dele-Bashiru made 11 Serie A starts for Lazio, but his playing time was disrupted by injuries and international duty at the African Cup of Nations. While the report suggests the player is “open” to a move to the Premier League, the link has been met with skepticism. Some analysts suggest his representatives may be attempting to leverage interest from United to secure a new contract with Lazio.
Data from analytics firm SciSports indicates that Dele-Bashiru’s current skill level is significantly below the standard required for a Manchester United player, even rating lower than the currently unsettled Mason Mount and the departing Manuel Ugarte. The data suggests he would represent a downgrade in midfield quality, and his performance in Serie A last season was among the lowest rated for midfielders in the league. However, United’s director of football Jason Wilcox’s prior connection to Dele-Bashiru from their time at Manchester City could be a factor in the club’s interest.
