Manchester United interest in Joaquin Seys leaves Club Brugge boss ‘proud’

Manchester United's reported interest in Club Brugge full-back Joaquin Seys has drawn a response from manager Ivan Leko, who admits he is proud to see his player linked with one of Europe's biggest clubs.

United are looking to strengthen at left-back this summer, with Newcastle United's Lewis Hall believed to be their leading target.

However, with a deal for Hall potentially difficult, the Red Devils are considering alternatives and 21-year-old Seys has emerged as one of the options.

Reports in England have recently linked Seys with Manchester United and other Premier League clubs.

However, Het Nieuwsblad reports that United have not yet made contact with Club Brugge over a potential transfer.

The Belgian club are also reluctant to lose the youngster this summer and currently have no intention of selling him.

That stance would make negotiations difficult should Michael Carrick's side decide to turn their interest into a concrete offer.

Earlier reports suggested Club Brugge would demand at least €35m to consider selling Seys.

Leko has now addressed the speculation surrounding Seys, as well as reports linking teammate Nicolò Tresoldi with Barcelona.

“I'm proud that my guys are being linked to those clubs,” the Club Brugge manager said.

“We chat about it every now and then. How much of those rumours is true? I don't know.”

Leko believes the attention is understandable given the potential of both players, but insists neither has allowed the speculation to become a distraction.

“They remain consummate professionals and are happy here,” he added.

While Club Brugge would prefer to keep Seys, Leko accepts that a major offer could make that difficult.

“If there's a lot of money on the table, it's obviously not easy to say no,” he admitted.

The manager pointed towards Christos Tzolis as an example of a player eventually earning a major transfer after developing at Brugge.

For now, Leko hopes Seys remains part of his squad beyond the summer deadline.

“The right time to leave will come. Tzolis has proved that. Let's hope they're all still here in September.”

Manchester United must decide whether to turn their interest in Seys into a concrete approach, particularly if their pursuit of Lewis Hall proves unsuccessful.

Club Brugge want to keep the youngster, but Leko's comments leave the door slightly open if a major offer arrives.

For now, there have been no talks between United and Club Brugge, with Seys remaining focused on the Belgian club.