Manchester United have been linked with a move for Fulham wonderkid Fabio Carvalho.
The Star report United have ‘stepped up interest’ in the 19-year-old playmaker, who has been making a big impact in the Championship this season.
Carvalho has scored eight goals and provided five assists for Fulham this season, who sit top of the table and are expected to win promotion.
However, Carvalho is a free agent in the summer and has yet to sign a new deal, placing top clubs on alert. United are claimed to have sent scouts to watch him in action earlier this month.
Carvalho was recently listed by FourFourTwo magazine as the seventh best teenager in world football, with Jude Bellingham at number one. Amad was at number 15, one of four United youngsters on the list.
Even on a free, United would have to pay Fulham a compensation fee for his development, which could range anywhere up to £10 million.
Why this rumour is perfect for the press
This rumour is perfect for the media and somewhat predictable, because Carvalho was hours away from signing for Liverpool on transfer deadline day.
A £5 million move was agreed plus a potential loan back to Fulham next season if they win promotion, but there was not enough time to complete the move, SkySports reported.
Just the possibility of United now stepping in to hijack a move is a great narrative for the press, regardless of whether it is true or false, and will have Liverpool worried.
Liverpool’s failed move could backfire though. They have a tremendous record of unearthing talented signings and in this case they have tipped their hat.
United would be silly not to get involved and try to do a deal, and clubs across Europe will be taking note too and trying to lure Carvalho to sign.
The club’s interest is said to date back a long way. Talksport reported United previously tried to sign Carvalho many years earlier when he was just starting out in Fulham’s academy.
Carvalho still a potential coup
Carvalho plays as a central attacking midfielder in a similar role to Bruno Fernandes. Also born in Portugal, Carvalho plays at youth level for England.
This is a crowded position for United with Hannibal and Shola Shoretire both highly rated prospects, but with Juan Mata and Jesse Lingard expected to leave, there is room for an extra addition for a player of Carvalho’s calibre.
Carvalho is a driven individual, with Fulham academy director Huw Jennings quoted by Goal.com: “In the next few years, [he wants] to be competing for the Ballon d’Or. You have to aim high.”
This season Carvalho is averaging 1.9 key passes per game in the Championship, a figure bettered by only six players.
A move to United would be a coup, but it is a long way off right now. At this stage it is worth noting, while also being sceptical, but it is encouraging to see United looking ahead to the summer beyond just the obvious names.
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