Man Utd keen on next top prospect to come off River Plate’s production line, scouts have been watching

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Manchester United have a long list of targets for 2026, ranging from ultra expensive starters, to exciting wonderkids and now one starlet from River Plate has caught the eye.

After years of neglect, Manchester United are finally paying some attention to the South American market.

This saw Diego Leon join United from Cerro Porteno for £3.2m in the summer of 2025. The Paraguayan 18-year-old has been improving game-on-game for the U21s.

Meanwhile, another South American talent is also Carrington bound, with United set to sign Cristian Orozco from Fortaleza in Colombia, costing just £750,000 once he turns 18 in 2026.

But there may already be another in the pipeline.

Manchester United considering swoop for Ian Subiabre

At the U20 World Cup last month, there were some serious talents on display. United in Focus exclusively revealed that Gilberto Mora was one talent being watched by United.

With the tournament done and dusted, United in Focus also understand, via Graeme Bailey, that Argentine superkid Ian Subiabre was also a target for United scouts in Chile.

United know all about the 18-year-old from River Plate, with a 2026 move to Europe now considered to be increasingly likely.

The recruitment staff at United like Subiabre and will be in the running to sign him when the youngster is making his decision on which club he will join.

United have been keen on Subiabre since April, and now there is a serious chance that a move gets formalised in the new year.

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Ian Subiabre would be low-risk and high-reward for Manchester United

Subiabre is not valued among the top South American prospects due to his slow rise, but the underlying stats prove that his release clause of £26.4m, according to GOAL, would be a bargain.

• READ: Who is Ian Subiabre? Man Utd transfer target teenage sensation who can be club’s own Bernardo Silva

Subiabre has played just 343 minutes for River Plate this season, in which he has been among the deadliest attackers in the league.

This showcases that he has the quality and just needs more of a chance to prove it, as his two goals in 207 minutes at the U20 World Cup also showed.

Signing Subiabre as an option under Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo would be perfect, with no pressure on the youngster, meaning he can settle in playing a squad role.