He was ‘the new Raphael Varane’ playing under Jose Mourinho and linked to Man Utd, now he has signed for Al-Hilal

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A change of pace in the Saudi Pro League has seen transfer targets begin to shift.

Manchester United were late movers when it came to selling players amid the initial Saudi Pro League signing blitz in 2023.

While Chelsea managed to ship off the likes of Kalidou Koulibaly and N’Golo Kante for major money, Manchester United’s only dealing was to sell Alex Telles for just £4 million.

Talk of Casemiro being sold to the Saudi Pro League this summer was fanciful, and one of those reasons was the way the league is shifting to trying to target younger talent.

Yusuf Akcicek makes Al-Hilal switch

Last week, Braga wing-back Roger Fernandes agreed to make the move to Al-Ittihad at just 19. Manchester United had been linked to him and will continue to track his progress, but right-back simply was not a priority in the recent window.

A similar story played out with Fenerbahce centre-back Yusuf Akcicek, who made a £19 million move to Al-Hilal at the start of this month.

Manchester United were reported to be monitoring the Fenerbahce defender in March, with interest reported by The Mail and Turkish outlet Sabah.

The 19-year-old has made two international caps for Turkey already, while making 27 appearances for Fenerbahce.

He has signed a contract with Al-Hilal until 2029, where he will play under former Inter boss Simone Inzaghi.

• READ: Manchester United confirmed signings, transfers in, out, loan exits, releases for 2025/26

Jose Mourinho had high hopes for Yusuf Akcicek

Yusuf Akcicek made his professional debut under former Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho during his stint at Fenerbahce.

Speaking last year, Mourinho paid Akcicek the highest compliment by comparing him to Raphael Varane, who he coached at Real Madrid.

He said: “I’m very proud of him and I trust him. He’s not perfect but he will be perfect.

“I don’t want to compare him to Rapha Varane because Rapha Varane has won four Champions Leagues, World Cup and won everything. But I had Rapha Varane when he was 18 and I was not wrong. 

“And I am not wrong with this kid. (big personality and is very confident.”

Manchester United need for centre-back was not priority

After clinching a move for Ayden Heaven in January to add extra depth, Manchester United did not need to add a new centre-back in the summer, even with releasing Victor Lindelof and Jonny Evans.

United still have Lisandro Martinez to return from injury, and will have to see how the defensive situation shakes out as the season goes along.

Harry Maguire’s contract expires at the end of this current season and United may require a replacement, but it is also very possible the club could offer him an extension.

In any case, Akcicek is now very unlikely to be on United’s list now he has left Turkey for Saudi Arabia.