Julio Enciso reportedly turned down a move to Man Utd before joining Ipswich (Image: Getty)
reportedly failed in a late attempt to hijack Julio Enciso’s loan move from to
The Paraguay international sealed his temporary switch to Portman Road on Thursday after deciding to get more first-team football under his belt.
The Seagulls starlet, 21, joins Kieran McKenna’s relegation battlers on a straight six-month loan, with no buy option included in the deal, according to Fabrizio Romano.
According to reports, United made a last-ditch attempt to sign the attacking midfielder after making a phone call to his representatives.
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Christian Martin, claimed ‘s side had lined him up as a potential replacement for Alejandro Garnacho, who has been linked with a move to and Napoli.
However, Enciso snubbed the chance to move to Old Trafford in favour of Ipswich because he is desperate to be a regular starter. That would be by no means guaranteed at United, where Amad Diallo and are regarded as important players.
The youngster was a finalist for the Puskas Award in 2023 after scoring a stunner against and held a key role under former coach Roberto De Zerbi before being sidelined with injury.
But he has been struggling to hold down a place with Brighton under Fabian Hurzeler this season after the German took charge in the summer.
Brighton’s Julio Enciso snubbed a move to Man Utd, according to reports (Image: Getty)
Ipswich Town is delighted to confirm the loan signing of Julio Enciso from Brighton & Hove Albion.Julio joins the Blues on his 21st birthday. Feliz cumpleaños, Julio!
— IPSWICH TOWN (@IpswichTown)
Hurzeler has predominantly preferred to use Yankuba Minteh and Kaoru Mitoma as his starting wingers, with Simon Adingra and Brajan Gruda next in the pecking order.
It remains to be seen whether United offered to sign Enciso on loan or if they were keen on a permanent switch, given that Garnacho was subject of a £40million offer from Napoli.
The Partenopei are keen to land Garnacho as a replacement for Khvicha Kvaratskhelia after he joined PSG in a £59.1m (€70m) transfer earlier this month.
Garnacho, who has been used in a bit-part role this season, holds the key to United’s plans in the transfer market as the Red Devils do not have money to spend unless they sell first.
Man Utd reportedly saw Julio Enciso as a replacement for Alejandro Garnacho (Image: Getty)
The giants are reluctant to let their academy star, 20, leave for a fee lower than £70m, with also weighing up a move for the Argentinian.
Amorim is keen to land Leece starlet Patrick Dorgu to solve their left-back problems, and reports suggest United are set to make a second offer for the Denmark international below his £33m asking price.
The fact the Portuguese boss has already allowed Antony to join Real Betis on loan means that if Garnacho follows him out the door, Amorim might be looking to sign a replacement.
However, they will need to look elsewhere now as Enciso prepares for a fresh start in Suffolk in the second half of the season.