Manchester United youngster Maxi Oyedele managed to impress during pre-season. That looks not to be enough to keep him at Old Trafford.
As is the nature of the beast at a club like Man United, not every talented up-and-comer can make the grade.
While Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho have blossomed at Old Trafford, Zidane Iqbal, Alvaro Fernandez, Noam Emeran and more have had to leave in search of first-team football.
Facundo Pellistri should join Panathinaikos soon for around £5 million. And following the Uruguayan winger out the door is Maxi Oyedele.
Maxi Oyedele is leaving Manchester United
Despite an impressive pre-season of his own – Oyedele set up Joe Hugill’s thumping effort against Rangers – the Poland Under 21 ace is heading to the country he represents on the international stage.
The Daily Mail reported on Tuesday that Legia Warsaw were closing in.
Reports coming out of Poland have now confirmed that as a fact, outlet Meczyki writes that Oyedele will undergo a medical in the next few days.
Legia, meanwhile, will pay a rather nominal fee. But, as they have done frequently over the last year or so, Man United will look to include a substantial sell-on clause in Oyedele’s contract.
As such, should the 19-year-old leave Legia for a hefty sum later down the line, the Red Devils will be due a sizeable windfall.
“Something is happening in this regard. Legia is monitoring him very closely. Talks are underway,” Polish football expert Pawel Golaszewski tells Meczyki. “There is a big chance that Oyedele will join Legia.
“If this move eventually happens, it will probably be a permanent transfer.”
An injury to key midfielder Jurgen Elitim appears to have played a major role in Legia stepping up their interest. Golaszewski believes that Oyedele possesses the requisite versatility and defensive nous to step up in his place.
Poland Under 21 ace on his way to Legia Warsaw
“Oyedele can play in position of number six or eight,” the reporter adds. “He would strengthen the competition in the middle of the pitch, and we know that after Jurgen’s injury, Legia needs a player who is somewhat defensive.
“Oyedele meets the age requirement. Legia was looking for a player born after January 1, 2003.”
Oyedele arrived on the earth a few months after Sir Alex Ferguson’s Man United completed the signing of a young Everton forward by the name of Wayne Rooney.
The Salford-born teenager spoke in pre-season about his admiration for Mainoo and Garnacho, United’s two FA Cup final goalscorers. But with Collyer seemingly the midfielder most likely to make the step up this term, Oyedele may have to take the long road to prominence.
“You look at Kobbie and Garna, two lads breaking through from the academy. We played with them at Youth Cup level,” Oyedele told MUTV.
“So it’s great to see, and its motivation for us.”
- READ MORE: Manchester United confirmed signings, transfers in, out, loan exits, releases for 2024/25
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