Romano denies the rumors, leaving Man Utd with no chance of signing Aleksandar Pavlovic.
Romano: Bayern will not sell Pavlovic; Man Utd are monitoring Angelo Stiller, and their £50 million bid for Antoine Semenyo was rejected as part of their January plans.
Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that Bayern Munich will not sell Aleksandar Pavlovic, ending Manchester United's hopes in the upcoming transfer window. The Red Devils have now turned their attention to Angelo Stiller (Stuttgart) and were previously rejected by Bournemouth with a £50 million bid for Antoine Semenyo last summer.
Romano quells speculation: Pavlovic will not leave Bayern.
On his personal YouTube channel, Fabrizio Romano emphasized that a move for Pavlovic to Manchester United was "impossible." He said: "Regarding Pavlovic, I can assure you that absolutely nothing is happening. Pavlovic is an extremely important player for Bayern, he is very happy here. Bayern will not sell Pavlovic. So, forget about it."
Romano added that Bayern's management sees Pavlovic as a key player for the present and the future. With this firm stance, Man Utd are forced to rule out the option of signing a defensive midfielder from Allianz Arena.
Man Utd changes direction: monitoring Angelo Stiller
Despite Pavlovic's "closed" stance, Romano confirms that Man Utd are monitoring Angelo Stiller of Stuttgart. According to the Italian journalist, the Red Devils are closely observing the midfielder's progress as a more viable option for strengthening their midfield.
Interest in Stiller comes as Ruben Amorim's team has enjoyed a run of three consecutive Premier League wins after a difficult start, boosting confidence to finalize their squad in the January transfer window.
Attack: Semenyo and a £50 million offer were rejected.
According to the Daily Telegraph, Manchester United submitted a £50 million offer for Antoine Semenyo last summer, but it was rejected by Bournemouth. The South Coast club subsequently successfully extended the Ghanaian striker's contract.
The aforementioned move shows that Old Trafford is willing to spend significantly to improve its firepower, but targets from within the Premier League are not easily accessible as their rivals retain key players.
Impact on Man Utd's January plans
Pavlovic's "untouchable" status forces Man Utd to broaden their list of central midfielders. If prioritizing a solid control structure in the midfield, monitoring Stiller becomes noteworthy as the Red Devils balance short-term (maintaining winning momentum) and long-term (stabilizing personnel quality).
Above all, the experience with Semenyo reminds Man Utd of the market reality: options that have proven successful in the Premier League often come with high costs and significant resistance from their current clubs. This could directly impact how the Red Devils allocate their budget between midfielders and forwards in January.
Key figures
- 3: Manchester United's winning streak in the Premier League after a difficult start to the season.
- £50 million: Bournemouth rejected their offer for Antoine Semenyo this summer.
- 0 progress: Romano insists there have been no developments between Man Utd and Pavlovic.
Notable statement
Fabrizio Romano: “Bayern will not sell Pavlovic… Forget about it.” This statement reinforces the message: Pavlovic is a strategic link in Bayern's game, not a bargaining chip.
The overall picture
Man Utd are maintaining their recovery on the pitch but still need the right pieces for long-term stability. Pavlovic is sidelined, Stiller is being monitored, and Semenyo has shown the value of proven experience. The winter transfer window will be a test of Old Trafford's recruitment flexibility.