Freiburg Striker Igor Matanovic Responds to Manchester United and Tottenham Transfer Rumors

Igor Matanovic, the Freiburg striker who has been on fire this Bundesliga season, spoke out about recent transfer rumors connecting him with Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur. Despite a strong start that has seen him net four goals in four league matches, Matanovic insists his focus remains firmly with Freiburg under coach Julian Schuster.

Premier League Interest

Both Manchester United and Tottenham are reportedly interested in adding Matanovic to their attacking line-ups. The Red Devils, in particular, are searching for a replacement for Joshua Zirkzee, who is linked with a move to Fiorentina. Yet, the 23-year-old forward quickly dismissed the swirling transfer talk after Freiburg’s recent victory over Werder Bremen.

"As far as I’m concerned, I’m currently at Freiburg," Matanovic told reporters. "There has been absolutely no contact with anyone from my side."

The striker, standing at 6ft 5in, credited his impressive form not just to physical training but also to mental focus. He explained, "People often think success comes from hard training, which is true, but football is mostly a mental game. When you’re clear-headed, not overthinking or hesitating, things work out. If I start brooding or losing confidence, it doesn’t go well."

A Breakout Season in Germany

Matanovic’s rise has been notable since moving from Eintracht Frankfurt to Freiburg last summer. In his debut campaign, he scored 15 goals across all competitions and played a key role in guiding Freiburg to the Europa League final, where they lost to Aston Villa.

"Was joining Freiburg the best choice of my career? Yes, absolutely," he said. "It was a big step. Thanks to Freiburg, I also made it to the World Cup, which was a huge success for me as a young player."

Although he didn’t score during his appearances for Croatia at the World Cup against England, Ghana, and Portugal, that experience seems to have sparked his strong start this season.

Contract and Transfer Window Outlook

Matanovic is contracted with Freiburg until June 2029, meaning the club has no urgency to sell. For Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur to secure a deal, they must present an attractive offer before the transfer window closes on Tuesday.

Unless Freiburg receives an exceptional bid, Matanovic will keep leading their attack in the Bundesliga, aiming to extend his goal-scoring streak and help maintain the team’s positive momentum early in the season.