Top News

Manchester United and Arsenal make opening move for €35m Joaquin Seys as Lewis Hall pursuit hits a snag
Priya Nambiar | August 11, 2026 8:46 AM CST

Manchester United and Arsenal have reportedly made enquiries for Club Brugge left-back Joaquin Seys after carrying out extensive scouting on the defender.

Even with Patrick Dorgu and Luke Shaw available as left-back choices, as well as versatile full-backs Noussair Mazraoui and Diogo Dalot, Manchester United have still identified that area as a key priority in the transfer market.

The Red Devils have been chasing Newcastle United left-back Lewis Hall for some time, but the Magpies are said to be highly reluctant to part with the England defender.

Newcastle are believed to value the 21-year-old at more than £60m, and that price could bring Manchester United’s interest in the former Chelsea youngster to an end.

At the same time, Premier League champions Arsenal are also understood to be in the market for left-back options, despite already having Riccardo Calafiori and Myles Lewis-Skelly.

However, Mikel Arteta has shown he is quite willing to add depth in defence, something that played a part in helping Arsenal end the club’s 22-year wait for the English top-flight title.

With Lewis-Skelly being given an opportunity to operate in a more central midfield position, there is an argument that the Gunners require cover for Calafiori.

Now, reports indicate they are keeping their options open by monitoring one of Belgian football’s emerging talents.

According to The Sun, Manchester United, Arsenal, Aston Villa and Newcastle United are the Premier League clubs following Seys, while Portuguese heavyweights Benfica and FC Porto are also keen.

The 21-year-old has become a regular for Club Brugge over the last few seasons, making 97 appearances and winning the Belgian Pro League, the Belgian Cup and the Belgian Super Cup in that period.

He also played for Belgium at this summer’s World Cup, with the youngster catching the eye during their run to the quarter-finals.

The report says Manchester United, Arsenal and Aston Villa — who have just sold left-back Lucas Digne to Paris Saint-Germain — have all lodged enquiries over Seys’ availability after extensively scouting him.

Club Brugge are said to be in no rush to sell their rising star, particularly as he still has three years left on his contract.

On top of that, they have put a £30m (€35m) valuation on him in an effort to ward off interested clubs. Even so, that fee is not expected to put off Michael Carrick’s Manchester United, who are looking for a long-term answer at left-back.

Arsenal, meanwhile, are understood to be impressed by his defensive strength as well as his creativity down the flank.

It is still unclear whether a concrete bid will arrive from a Premier League club, as the 5ft 10in defender may be viewed more as one for the future rather than an immediate first-team solution.


READ NEXT
Cancel OK