Sheffield Wednesday wonderkid Daniel da Costa could spark a transfer tug-of-war between Premier League rivals Manchester United and Liverpool this summer.
That is according to O Jogo; the Portuguese publication reporting that one of the most exciting teenage talents in the EFL could soon be offered the opportunity to follow in the gilded footsteps of his idol – one Cristiano Ronaldo – at Old Trafford.
Manchester United have ‘regularly observed’ 15-year-old Da Costa in action. As have north west neighbours Liverpool. The two Premier League giants are currently in the ‘lead’ for his signature, though there is also interest from Sporting Lisbon in a player who was born in England but can represent Portugal at international level through his father.
Manchester United face Liverpool battle for Daniel da Costa
The influence of Ronaldo is clear to see on Da Costa; a winger who, like the Man United legend, loves to take on defenders, breezing past tackles with a burst of acceleration and a flurry of footwork.
Of course, Sheffield Wednesday supporters will argue that Da Costa would be better off staying put, first-team football more attainable at Hillsborough than it would be at Old Trafford or Anfield.
You need only look at Fabio Carvalho’s struggles in Liverpool red to realise that, sometimes, the grass is not always greener elsewhere.
Da Costa, meanwhile, is far from the only teenage talent on Man United’s radar.
Erik ten Hag’s side also like Benfica’s so-called ‘new Paul Pogba’ Cher Ndour. The Italy youth star has reportedly informed the Primeira Liga champions that he will be leaving when his contract expires at the end of the month too.
Kendry Paez was another under consideration at Old Trafford, though top-flight rivals Chelsea have now completed a staggering £17 million deal for a midfielder who only celebrated his 16th birthday a month ago.
“Today, I can say that Kendry Paez, in two years’ time, will go to Chelsea,” Santiago Morales – sporting director at Independiente del Valle – tells The Standard.
“We received offers from Borussia Dortmund and Manchester United. Chelsea were the team that showed the most interest.”
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