Man United made late attempt to hijack Ipswich Town’s loan deal for Brighton’s Julio Enciso | OneFootball

Manchester United reportedly made a last-minute effort to hijack Ipswich Town’s loan deal for Brighton and Hove Albion youngster Julio Enciso.

Enciso is set to join Kieran McKenna’s Ipswich for the remainder of the season. The Athletic reports that the transfer does not include an option to buy and Ipswich will over his wages in full.

The player decided to join the Tractor Boys in search of playing time, which he found had to come by at the Amex Stadium.

Enciso came off the bench in stoppage time during Brighton’s 3-1 victory over United last Sunday.

According to Tuttomercatoweb, there were several clubs interested in Enciso, including Atalanta and United, with the latter keen on him as a potential replacement for Alejandro Garnacho.

Garnacho is looking increasingly likely to be on his way out of Old Trafford this month amidst strong links to Napoli and Chelsea.

TMW reveal, “In recent days there has also been contact between Manchester United and Brighton to discuss Enciso. With Garnacho potentially leaving in the final days of the transfer market, the Red Devils are exploring the market for a possible replacement.”

“And there was an attempt for the Paraguayan when, however, the agreement for his temporary transfer to Ipswich had already been defined. Out of time.”

This is backed up by journalist Christian Martin who told Paraguay’s Versus, “What I can tell you is that at the last minute of yesterday’s day, a call from Manchester United arrived.”

“Manchester United wanted Julio to be potentially the replacement in case Garnacho goes to Napoli or another club, there are several interested, Garnacho has had a problem with Amorim.”

“The situation is not the same in the club that he grew up, Garnacho has been playing for many years as a youth player and immediately came the call from the United board to attempt Julio.”

Martin added, “The answer of the Paraguayan, thank you but no thank you, I want to play.”

“Julio turns 21 tomorrow, we are already talking about a Paraguayan boy on the other side of the world in the most competitive league that is fighting for his future and really say no to Borussia Dortmund, say no to Manchester United, say no to Valencia, prioritise that, playing, he wants to play from the start.”

Enciso made 16 appearances for Brighton during the 2024/25 campaign, scoring once and providing one assist, but he is yet to manage a goal contribution in the Premier League this term.

Featured image Stephen Pond via Getty Images

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