There are certainly worse times to score your first international goal.
In a performance that reportedly encouraged Manchester United to step up their interest, the Red Devils’ £21 million target opened his account for his country in a particularly well-timed manner.
It was Dan Ndoye who opened the scoring during Switzerland’s 1-1 draw with Germany in their final group-stage match on Sunday. Setting up a round-of-16 clash with an underwhelming Italy side along the way.
According to Gianluca di Marzio, Man United lodged an enquiry with Bologna after watching the forward run Julian Nagelsmann’s side ragged with his purpose and pace.
But, for one former Swiss international, the fact that it has taken Ndoye 14 games to find the net highlights a problem. A problem that also follows him around at club level.
Ndoye has only one goal in 14 Switzerland caps. He also scored only once in 32 Serie A appearances last term for a Bologna side who secured Champions League qualification under now-Juventus boss Thiago Motta.
Manchester United eye Bologna ace Dan Ndoye
It is no secret that Man United’s revamped transfer policy revolves around potential and promise rather than experience and big reputations.
Ndoye is certainly not lacking in the ‘potential’ department either. But there are clearly a lot of kinks to iron out for a man who’s end product remains far adrift of what is required for a club of Man United’s ambitions.
“He has only scored one goal (in Serie A),” ex-Switzerland midfielder Marco Paladino tells Radio Sportiva. “And it is something that needs to be improved. He often makes a mistake (in front of goal) and this penalises him.
“But he is always, always there. The goal against Germany, I hope it gave him an awareness of his own capabilities.”
The positive thing, at least, is that Ndoye continues to get himself in the right position to obtain chances, even if he misses them more often than not. See that 1-1 draw with Scotland. The former Basel man one-on-one with Angus Gunn only to be denied by a superb stop from the Norwich keeper.
Ndoye has played in a forward role for Switzerland at Euro 2024. The 23-year-old can play in a variety of other positions, however, with Man United’s rival suitors Inter Milan reportedly viewing Ndoye as a replacement for Denzel Dumfries in the right-sided wing-back spot, per Gazzetta dello Sport.
Paladino, however, feels his compatriot would be wasted in a more defensive role.
“I don’t see him, honestly, as (a successor for) Dumfries,” Paladino adds. “Denzel has an excessive physical power in being able to play the two phases even if he has less quality. But he has more lefgs and can play the defensive phase as (Inter boss Simone) Inzaghi asks.
“I see Ndoye as less inclined. If you play him defensively, you lose his offensive qualities.”
Swiss star’s agent speaks out
Man United are also looking to tie up a deal for Ndoye’s Bologna team-mate Joshua Zirkzee.
Another Serie A-based right-winger on the Red Devils’ radar, meanwhile, was reportedly Tijjani Noslin of Hellas Verona. Tuttomercatoweb claims that United tabled a £17 million offer after holding talks on Wednesday.
Noslin, however, looks likely to follow former Hellas coach Marco Baroni to Lazio instead, though this should not bring an end to the Biancocelesti’s long-running pursuit of Man United misfit Mason Greenwood.
“I can tell you about Ndoye that he is having a great European Championship,” says Ludovico Spinosi, the Swiss star’s agent speaking to TV Play.
“(While he has) skills to improve, he truly has everything to go to a top club. What I noticed together with my partners, (is that) he raised his level in important matches.
“He is ready to go to a superior team to Bologna. He would have no problems making an impact. And he showed that against Germany, beyond the goal.
“I can tell you that he is paid attention to not only by Italian teams, but also by foreign ones,” the agent adds of forward who has already represented the Ineos-controlled Nice and Lausanne Sport. “The lucky thing is that he finds himself at a club like Bologna. Super healthy, who will play in the Champions League.
“To date, there is nothing concrete other than expressions of interest. It is true that he is doing very well and everyone is realising how decisive he is in one-on-one situations, thanks to his speed. He can also play as a wing-back, despite being born as an offensive player.
“He is a complete player who, if he manages to be more decisive up front, will be at a top-tier club.”