Manchester United’s summer transfer plans are beginning to become clearer, with several youngsters on Ineos’ radar.
Ruben Amorim has only had two signings made for him at Manchester United already, and it is no surprise that both Ayden Heaven and Patrick Dorgu have been impressive.
Against Real Sociedad in particular, Heaven and Dorgu showed they could be decade-long solutions to positions which looked like priorities before the January transfer window but are now looking like strong positions for the next few years.
United are keen to add further wonderkids to the ranks in the summer, with a deal to sign Diego Leon already secured for the summer.
South America looks like a real hotbed for the Red Devils right now, with Juan Gimenez and Tobias Ramirez attracting interest from United. The two Argentine centre-backs are exciting talents, but United are also keen on a Turkish talent.
Manchester United preparing a bid for Yusuf Akcicek
From the number of young defenders being linked, it is safe to assume United are looking for a replacement for Jonny Evans and Victor Lindelof who are set to leave.
To bolster the defence, United have been looking into Yusuf Akcicek from Fenerbahce, a player Jose Mourinho is very high on, even heralding him as the new Raphael Varane.
Now, Turkish journalist Yagız Sabuncuoglu has claimed that interest has grown beyond just scouting the 18-year-old.
He explained that United ‘want him [Akcicek] very much’, with an official bid for the talented central defender already expected.
Sabuncuoglu claims that United will make an official offer worth around £10m-£15m in the summer.
United in Focus understands after speaking with Graeme Bailey that Ineos do like Akcicek and have been tracking him since his youth days.
Despite the interest, United in Focus understands that the club will face competition. Arsenal, Tottenham, Newcastle and Brentford also like him – there have also been scouts from BlueCo and City Group but believe they were more for Strasbourg and Girona.
Yusuf Akcicek shines for Fenerbahce against Rangers
United scouts were said to be at the Ibrox on Thursday night to watch Mourinho’s Fenerbahce against Rangers.
Akcicek started the game in central defence and played a phenomenal game as the Turkish outfit won 2-0 on the night before losing on penalties.
- 120 minutes
- 1 shot
- 76/87 passes completed
- 118 touches
- 1/1 dribbles completed
- 5/8 long passes completed
- 3/5 tackles won
- 2 blocks
- 9 clearances
- 18 defensive actions
- 10 recoveries
- 12 duels won
Akcicek won 12 duels in the game, while he also played a key role on the ball with 118 touches.
This performance was much better than he showed last week in the first leg and this display will have wowed United scouts and the decision makers who could now view him as a bargain for as much as £15m.
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