Manchester United are paying attention to Argentina wonderkid Felipe Esquivel.
Ineos are casting a wider net than previously at Manchester United in the search for young talents from around the world.
Sekou Kone, Diego Leon and Cristian Orozco have all been signed, and United In Focus understands the Red Devils have scouts at the FIFA Under-17s World Cup.
One of the three players United have a keen eye on has already managed to impress, in his opening game.
Felipe Esquivel scores for Argentina
United In Focus reported that Manchester United had identified three players of interest ahead of FIFA Under-17s World Cup.
- Felipe Esquivel (Argentina)
- Asharaf Loukman Tapsoba (Burkina Faso)
- Alynho Haidara (Ivory Coast)
Day one of the tournament in Qatar took place on November 3, and Felipe Esquivel was the only one of the trio to see action.
Esquivel, 17, scored Argentina’s winning goal in their 3-2 victory over Belgium, netting a thunderous 82nd minute strike.
The ball fell to the forward on the edge of the box and he thrashed the ball into the roof of the net over the goalkeeper.
It was a clinical finish worthy of winning any match, and Manchester United’s watching representatives will have been impressed.
Key info about Felipe Esquivel
Felipe Esquivel is a right winger who is considered to be one of River Plate’s top talents.
Esquivel is yet to make his debut for River Plate, but it is likely to be only be a matter of time before he does.
He joined River in 2022 and suffered a torn ACL soon after. But after recovering to full fitness, he has returned stronger than ever.
However, if United are hoping he will be a potential bargain, we have some bad news.
Argentina newspaper Ole report that days before the tournament, River Plate extended Esquivel’s contract with a staggering 100m Euros release clause (£87 million).
His previous contract had a far lower release clause and was due to expire in 2026. Esquivel’s new deal runs until 2028.
The release clause significantly strengthens River’s hand in transfer negotiations.
This past summer they sold Franco Mastantuono to Real Madrid for the begrudgingly low figure of £38.5 million, his release clause.
River executive Stefano di Carlo is quoted via BeIN Sports: “It’s in the top three sales in Latin American history… but with Mastantuono’s €45 million, we fell short
“This clause aims to break unilateral decisions. With 100 million, they have to come and sit down to negotiate.”
Esquivel is one of several talents at River now given the ‘anti-Mastantuono clause’, as it has now been dubbed.
The same clause has been placed into Ian Subiabre’s new contract. United are also tracking the prospect, who is already starring for the first team and impressed at the under-20s World Cup.
Manchester United’s two representatives
Manchester United have two representatives at the FIFA Under-17s World Cup, one official and one unofficial.
One of them is new signing Cristian Orozco, who will represent Colombia when they face Germany on November 4.
Orozco was signed for a relative pittance compared to River’s demands for Esquivel. Manchester United paid around £750,000.
Manchester United will be sending Bendito Mantato, who will be playing for England, one of the club’s highly rated young talents.
England’s tournament begins against Venezuela.
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