Club Brugge starlet Antonio Nusa is being tipped to follow in the footsteps of fellow Scandinavian Rasmus Hojlund with a big-money switch to Premier League giants Manchester United.
The latest fresh-faced superstar-in-waiting to rise through the ranks in Norway might have admitted to turning down a £23 million move to Chelsea over the summer, but it would be a major surprise if Antonio Nusa was not strutting his stuff for another of Europe’s big-hitters in 12 months’ time.
According to 90Min, scouts on behalf of Newcastle, Liverpool and Arsenal are flocking to Belgium to watch the fleet-footed attacker in action.
But, after Manchester United invested £64 million in bringing Rasmus Hojlund to Old Trafford, could the Red Devils come calling for another of Scandinavia’s bright young hopes?
Manchester United must be looking at Antonio Nusa
“Of course, Nusa can be a current player for Manchester United. When you look at who they have lost…,” Jesper Mathisen, who spent his entire career in Norway for IK Start, tells TV2, highlighting the attacking issues plaguing Erik ten Hag with Jadon Sancho, Antony and Mason Greenwood currently out of the first-team picture.
“And Atta Aneke (Nusa’s agent) has sent players to Old Trafford before.”
Aneke played a key role in the deal which took Odion Ighalo to Manchester United three-and-a-half years ago.
“(Nusa) is probably a player that all clubs think is exciting, including Manchester United,” adds Eivind B Holt, a reporter for United’s Norwegian podcast.
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“It will be a signing that United makes for the future, like Rasmus Hojlund. (But) he is probably not an 18-year-old who is at the top of the list right now.”
‘Reminded me of Martin Odegaard’
Nusa certainly did his burgeoning reputation no harm during the September international break, opening his Norway account on only his second appearance in a dazzling display against Jordan.
And while some have labelled the teenager the second coming of Erling Haaland or Norway’s answer to Neymar, Per-Matthias Hogmo sees more similarities between Nusa and another of Scandinavia’s favourite sons.
“When I sat and looked at him, he reminded me of Martin Odegaard when I took him to the national team at the start (of his career),” the former Norway manager tells VG.
“The wonderful balance. The ability to handle the ball in tight situations and, at the same time, be efficient in the way you play.
“He is, in short, the greatest talent we have seen and will be watching for quite some time. We have had several good players, but Antonio Nusa is something very special.”