Manchester United are now part of a multi-club group with new investors Ineos holding key stakes in teams in France and Switzerland.
Ineos added Manchester United to the top of their portfolio of European clubs when they succeeded in buying a key stake in the club at the end of 2023, joining Nice in France and Lausanne in Switzerland.
While there was a question over whether United and Nice would both be able to compete in the Europa League next season, The Times reports UEFA will grant full approval.
One of the benefits for United is the opportunity to use Nice or Lausanne as a satellite club for young talent, with Brexit rules also preventing the club signing foreign talents under 18, similar to the deal struck to bringAlejandro Garnacho to Old Trafford in 2020.
And one name to watch is Italian wonderkid Simone Pafundi, with Ineos signing him on loan for Lausanne in the January transfer window.
Simone Pafundi latest
Simone Pafundi signed for Lausanne in January on loan from Serie A side Udinese. According to Gianluca Di Marzio, this deal included an option to buy for £8 million, which would make him the Swiss side’s record signing.
Pafundi became the youngest Italy international in 100 years when he was called up to a squad in late 2022, making his debut when just 16.
Pafundi turned 18 in March, so United could now sign him outright – but Ineos have moved to ensure an advantage and move to the front of the queue – and first place him at one of their teams where he is best-placed to develop.
TMW reported last month that Lausanne had ‘started the first evaluations on the possibility of buying Pafundi’.
The report added: “A decision that Lausanne is evidently taking with the entire Ineos group, together with Nice and Manchester United. The idea is to retain a player of Pafundi’s qualities in the group.”
Pafundi developing well at Lausanne
A move to Manchester United right now may be too much too soon for Pafundi, who sought a move away from Udinese because he was not playing regular first team football.
The creative midfielder has been able to do so at Lausanne, where he made 17 appearances, playing more than 1,000 minutes, with three goal contributions.
According to TMW, Pafundi emerged as the surprise winner in a fan poll for the Swiss Super League Player of the Season.
This highlights the impact the young Italian has made already, and why Ineos will be keen to hang onto him.
It’s an interesting case, with the ultimate goal being that Pafundi proves himself ready for an eventual transfer to Manchester United, and these kind of deals could become more frequent.