Sam Mather could be UAE-bound as league leaders eye surprise swoop | OneFootball

Despite the summer window closing, Manchester United have been trying to offload players not in their immediate plans.

Out went Andre Onana, joining Trabzonspor on loan. The Red Devils also tried to move on the last remaining member of the bomb squad, Tyrell Malacia, to Eyüpspor.

Despite agreeing a loan deal, the Dutchman turned down the move and has since been included in the club’s Premier League squad.

Another player who was close to a switch to Turkiye is Sam Mather, with the 20-time English league champions close to agreeing a deal with Kayserispor.

Mather to UAE?

However, both teams failed to sign off on all the documents in time, and the Turkish transfer window slammed shut with the 21-year-old forced to remain at Carrington.

The winger has clearly outgrown academy football, which is why INEOS were looking at a permanent sale or a loan with an obligation to buy.

However, the Carrington graduate could yet depart, to an even more exotic location, with Sports Boom reporting that UAE’s Shabab Al Ahli Club are chasing the youngster.

Shabab Al Ahli are league leaders, and hence a move there is not the worst step, as it would guarantee regular minutes.

However, Kayserispor have not given up on the United wonderkid, and are willing to try again once the window opens in January. And Sam Mather is also open to staying for now, before moving to a more competitive league in the future.

“United Arab Emirates side Shabab Al Ahli Club have expressed an interest in signing highly-rated Manchester United wing wizard Sam Mather, SportsBoom can exclusively reveal.

“Al Ahli have now entered the race for the player’s signature, with Kayserispor having also not given up hope of signing the young gun, although they will now have to wait for the Turkish transfer window to reopen.

Where will he go?

“Mather is contracted to United until the summer of 2027, but a move to the UAE, to player for one of the country’s top sides, could prove very tempting.

“The other option could be another loan move with an English club with the youngster having outgrown academy football at United.”

Interestingly, the wing wizard’s planned exit to Kayserispor was expected to include a buyback clause, and it will be intriguing to see if the same clause is inserted should the player move to the UAE.

He signed a new three-year deal in 2024 after impressing former boss Erik ten Hag, but given the investment up front under Ruben Amorim, there hardly seems to be any space for the young star in the senior team. And hence, the choice to part ways.

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