Man Utd Target Joaquin Seys: £17m Club Brugge Left-Back on Radar

Man Utd tracking Club Brugge left-back Joaquin Seys as long-term Luke Shaw successor

Manchester United are continuing to monitor Club Brugge defender Joaquin Seys, with the 21-year-old valued at around £17m by Transfermarkt. United's director of recruitment, Christopher Vivell, is a known admirer and the club sent scouts to watch Seys provide two assists in a 3-0 win over Genk last weekend.

Player: Joaquin Seys, 21-year-old left-back
Current club: Club Brugge, under contract until 2029
Valuation: £17m (Transfermarkt)
Previous targets: Nathaniel Brown (joined Bayern Munich), Lewis Hall (Newcastle refused to sell)
Key admirer: Christopher Vivell, Man Utd director of recruitment
Recent scout trip: Genk 0-3 Club Brugge, Seys provided two assists
What's at stake: United want a long-term replacement for Luke Shaw

Transfer update: United's summer search and Seys emergence

Manchester United reportedly remain keen on signing Club Brugge defender Joaquin Seys. According to TEAMtalk, United wanted to sign a new left-back to replace Luke Shaw this summer and identified Nathaniel Brown and Lewis Hall as primary options. Bayern Munich won the race for Brown, while Newcastle United refused to let Hall leave, forcing United to consider alternatives. They earmarked Seys as a serious option but did not make a formal approach before the deadline.

Seys is a 21-year-old left-back who started his youth career at Oostende before joining Club Brugge's youth system at the age of seven. After coming through the academy, he made his first-team debut a couple of years ago and has since established himself as an undisputed starter at Jan Breydel Stadium. He has won a Pro League title and a few domestic cup competitions.

Last campaign, Seys made 49 appearances across all competitions, scoring twice and registering seven assists, while helping his side keep five clean sheets. This season, he has enjoyed a promising start, notching three assists and keeping as many clean sheets in seven Pro League appearances. He has helped Club Brugge mount a title charge, with the side sitting third in the table, one point behind league leaders Royale Union Saint-Gilloise.

His form has earned him a place in the Belgium squad for the September/October international break. United's director of recruitment, Christopher Vivell, is an admirer of the 21-year-old and continues to appreciate his qualities. The club even sent scouts to watch him in action against Genk last weekend, where Seys helped his side win 3-0 by providing two assists.

United remain keen on him and could make a move in the future. He is valued at around £17m by Transfermarkt and still has a contract until 2029; therefore, Club Brugge aren't in any rush to sell him. Seys is a highly talented left-back and could be a shrewd acquisition for the Old Trafford club should they eventually opt to secure his services.

Deal details

No formal offer has been made for Seys. The source states United earmarked him as a serious option but never made a formal approach before the summer deadline. His contract runs until 2029, and Club Brugge have no immediate need to sell. Transfermarkt values him at approximately £17m.

The numbers

Age: 21
Club Brugge debut: A couple of years ago (as stated)
2025/26 (last season): 49 appearances, 2 goals, 7 assists, 5 clean sheets
2026/27 Pro League (this season): 7 appearances, 3 assists, 3 clean sheets
Club Brugge league position: 3rd, one point behind Royale Union Saint-Gilloise
Market value: £17m (Transfermarkt)
Contract expires: 2029
International: Belgium squad for September/October break

Why Man Utd see Seys as the answer to their left-back problem

United's pursuit of a left-back is not new. The club spent the summer chasing Nathaniel Brown and Lewis Hall, only to miss out on both — Bayern Munich secured Brown, while Newcastle refused to sanction Hall's exit. That failure left Luke Shaw as the primary option, but at 31, Shaw's long-term future at Old Trafford is uncertain. Seys offers a younger, more attack-minded alternative.

The 21-year-old's statistical profile is impressive for a defender: seven assists in 49 games last season and three in seven this term. His ability to contribute in the final third aligns with the modern full-back role. United's recruitment chief Christopher Vivell has clearly identified Seys as a player who can develop into a first-team regular. The fact that United sent scouts to watch him against Genk — where he provided two assists — shows this is more than casual interest.

However, prising Seys from Club Brugge will not be straightforward. The Belgian club are under no financial pressure to sell, with the player contracted until 2029. Any deal would likely require a fee above his £17m Transfermarkt valuation. For United, the appeal is clear: a highly rated young left-back who could solve a problem position for the next decade. For Seys, a move to Old Trafford would represent a significant step up, but he may prefer to continue his development in Belgium before making the leap.

Talking points

Is Joaquin Seys worth more than £17m? Club Brugge have no need to sell and his contract runs until 2029, so United may have to pay a premium.
Should United have pushed harder for Lewis Hall or Nathaniel Brown instead of waiting for Seys? Missing out on both suggests a lack of planning.
At 21, is Seys ready to be a first-team regular at Old Trafford, or would he be a squad player behind Luke Shaw?
With Luke Shaw still at the club, does signing Seys risk blocking the development of United's own academy left-backs?

What happens next

United will continue to monitor Seys's progress, with scouts likely to watch him in Belgium's upcoming international fixtures. Club Brugge's stance remains firm — no formal approach has been made and they are under no pressure to sell. If Seys impresses on the international stage, his value could rise, forcing United to act quickly or risk losing him to a rival. The next transfer window will be decisive.

Frequently asked questions

Have Man Utd made a bid for Joaquin Seys?

No. According to TEAMtalk, United earmarked Seys as a serious option but never made a formal approach before the summer deadline. They remain keen and could move in the future.

How much is Joaquin Seys worth?

He is valued at around £17m by Transfermarkt. However, his contract runs until 2029 and Club Brugge are in no rush to sell, so any fee could be higher.

Why do Man Utd want Joaquin Seys?

United wanted a new left-back to replace Luke Shaw. After missing out on Nathaniel Brown and Lewis Hall, they identified Seys as a serious target. Director of recruitment Christopher Vivell is an admirer.