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Manchester United are believed to be the front-runners to sign an "extraordinary" attacking player, according to a transfer fresh update.

Man Utd eyeing new striker

Erik ten Hag's side may have secured a massive 3-2 victory at home to Aston Villa on Boxing Day, but there are still clearly issues within the squad that need to be addressed. While Rasmus Hojlund ended his long Premier League drought with the winning goal against Villa, attacking reinforcements are arguably still needed, in order to provide more firepower in the final third.

The fact that Scott McTominay is United's top scorer in the league this season with just five goals speaks volumes about their struggles, with Hojlund, Antony and Marcus Rashford netting just three times between them.

Man Utd's rumoured striker targets for January

Latest update

Serhou Guirassy

19th December

Nico Williams

19th December

Donyell Malen

8th December

Max Moerstedt

7th December

Timo Werner

1st December

VfB Stuttgart star Serhou Guirassy is one player who has been linked with a January move to Old Trafford, with the Guinean only behind Harry Kane in the Bundesliga scoring charts currently. Meanwhile, Viktor Gyokeres is also seen as a potential target for the Red Devils, with the former Coventry City striker shining at new club Sporting CP.

Man Utd front-runners to sign Joshua Zirkzee

According to a new update from Il Resto del Carlino [via Sport Witness], Manchester United have set their sights on signing Bologna striker Joshua Zirkzee.

A number of top clubs "won't leave" the 22-year-old alone, seeing him as a big player for the future, and the Red Devils appear to be at the front of the queue to snap him up, with the report describing them as "above all".

Bayern Munich do have an option to buy him back, however, having sold him to Bologna, although it remains to be seen if they will trigger that clause. His current club are not keen on entertaining the idea of a January exit, however, so unless United can sway their thinking with a big offer, they may potentially have to wait until next summer.

Zirkzee could be a brilliant addition for Ten Hag if the club can strike a deal for his signature, whether that be next month or at the end of the season, with the youngster a player of enormous potential. He has scored seven goals and registered two assists in 16 Serie A starts this season, while Bologna boss Thiago Motta has heaped praise on him in the past, saying:

"It was an excellent goal from a player with extraordinary qualities. He scored a similar goal in training. Joshua is very talented, but I want to emphasize that he also works very hard for it."

Hojlund isn't yet the finished article, so it is unfair to be expecting him to perform week in, week out, and Zirkzee could be an ideal figure to come in and provide stiff competition for him, paving the way for Anthony Martial to leave next summer in the process.

Related Man Utd eye swoop for £87m Hojlund rival who could be Zlatan 2.0

Erik ten Hag is keen on reinforcing his striker options this winter.

Posts ByTom Lever Dec 28, 2023

The Dutchman may only get better as the years pass as well, and having both him and Hojlund in the squad could be a mouthwatering prospect for years to come.

Aaron Ramsdale's repeated blunders versus Brentford didn't cost Arsenal three points last time out thankfully, bailed out by his heroic backline time after time before Kai Havertz headed home at the death to win the tight game 1-0.

The goalkeeper situation at Arsenal currently is a strange one, to say the least, David Raya is Mikel Arteta's first-choice goalkeeper despite only being at the club on loan and that doesn't look like changing any time soon after the English goalkeeper's wobbles as his stand-in against the Bees.

With rumours intensifying that Raya's loan deal could be made permanent this coming transfer window, Ramsdale will have to settle for being the back-up option at the Emirates for now despite being Arteta's main man in goal for the last two full seasons.

The former Sheffield United man will be fearing for his long-term future at the club therefore, especially if current Wrexham goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo- who is on a season-long loan with the Red Dragons from Arsenal – keeps up his form in League Two and returns to the Emirates emboldened by his formative experience in Wales.

Ramsdale will just hope he gets more opportunities to impress soon to displace Raya as number one in-between, despite not being in his manager's good books currently.

Ramsdale's statistics for Arsenal this season

The 25-year-old started Arsenal's first four top-flight games this season, failing to keep a clean sheet in any of those games with his performance in goal notably below-par in a 2-2 home draw versus Fulham at the end of August.

The Cottagers found the back of Ramsdale's net twice despite only having three shots on target all game, Andreas Pereira getting the better of the Gunners shot-stopper in the first minute after curling an effort past the shaky number one who was out of position.

Ramsdale was arguably exposed after a weak back-pass from Bukayo Saka found Pereira instead of the 25-year-old, but Arteta will look to moments like these as justification for why he's dropped the ex-Blades goalkeeper in recent months to start Raya instead.

Raya has kept four clean sheets in the Premier League since coming into the side, the Spanish goalkeeper impressive throughout the effective 1-0 shut-out of Manchester City last month.

Young Gunners prospect Okonkwo will hope he can further add competition in goal when he returns from Wrexham at the end of the season, the 6 foot 6 keeper excelling in Wales.

Okonkwo's statistics for Wrexham this season

The Arsenal U23s "talented" regular goalkeeper – as labelled by football journalist Fabrizio Romano – is impressing again out on loan, keeping ten clean sheets last season at Crewe Alexandra on a short-term basis.

Now, Okonkwo is ensuring Wrexham have a reliable shot-stopper in-between the sticks after news of Ben Foster's retirement rocked the Racecouse Ground earlier in the season.

The towering four-time England U18 international has accumulated five clean sheets for Phil Parkinson's Red Dragons from only ten games played to date, keeping three clean sheets in his last four outings in Wrexham colours.

Wrexham are flying high in second as a result, only five points off top-of-the-table Stockport County with Okonkwo eager to continue playing his part in the Welsh team's potential pursuit of back-to-back promotions.

The 22-year-old will have far bigger dreams than that, however, hoping to one day be Arsenal's first choice with Ramsdale growing ever more twitchy about his future as a result of the emerging Arsenal talent.

Tottenham are reportedly "ready" to make a bid for one club's key player, and he could be an alternative to star summer signing James Maddison.

Maddison injury exposes lack of Spurs depth

Spurs' 4-1 loss to Chelsea two weeks ago not only marked manager Ange Postecoglou's first league loss since taking charge, but also exposed his side's glaring lack of depth behind their traditional starting eleven. Both Maddison and star defender Micky van de Ven were taken off with serious injuries, later being ruled out until 2024 in what was a significant blow for the Lilywhites.

For the rest of this year, Postecoglou will have to cope without the creativity of Maddison and pace of van de Ven, with both seen as crucial to the way Spurs want to play on the foot.

In their last game before this international break, a 2-1 loss to Wolves at Molineux, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg slotted in Maddison's place with Eric Dier stepping into van de Ven's usual spot alongside Ben Davies in central defence.

It's fair to say all three of the aforementioned didn't have the same impact. While both van de Ven and Maddison will return in January, when the transfer window is open for business, it could be imperative for Spurs to bring in some better alternatives to their star men in case of unforeseen lengthy absences – whether in the winter or later next year.

In terms of who they've been linked with, Genoa star Albert Gudmundsson is a target for Tottenham, while in defence it has been reported that Spurs hold a serious interest in Lloyd Kelly of Bournemouth.

Tottenham "ready" to bid for Cristante

The north Londoners, according to a report by Italian newspaper Il Messaggero (via TUTTOmercatoWEB), have another versatile new target in their sights.

Indeed, it is believed Spurs are ready to bid for Bryan Cristante, who is actually "indispensable" for Roma. Managed by former Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho, the Italy international can play in a variety of positions – including central defence, midfield and Maddison's role as a playmaker.

His Serie A performances have apparently attracted attention from sporting director Johan Lange and co at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Spurs are even "willing to put" £26 million on the table in a bid to secure Cristante's signature, and this offer is seen as one which Roma couldn't say no to.

The 28-year-old has started 12 league games for Mourinho's side this season, bagging two goals and two assists, all while ranking as the second-best overall performer in Roma's squad according to WhoScored. The club's sporting director, Tiago Pinto, heaped praise on the "underrated" Cristante in an interview.

Aerial duels

Passing

Tackling

“Bryan is a great professional, and a great man,” said Pinto.

“He is one of the most important players in the squad not only for what he does on the pitch, but also for what he represents for the club and for the locker room. He is a player who is sometimes a little underrated but as you said he is always there and plays well and covers all positions at all times.”

Monterry boss Fernando Ortiz considers Lionel Messi to be “the greatest of all time” and meant no offence with comments aimed at Inter Miami.

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• Claim of favouritism from officials
• Angry reaction from those in Florida
• Mexican side into the semi-finals

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Ahead of a CONCACAF Champions Cup quarter-final clash between Liga MX and MLS outfits, Ortiz claimed that his side may find themselves on the wrong end of contentious decisions from the match officials if Messi – who had been nursing a hamstring injury – figured in the tie.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Those quotes were not well received in Florida, and contributed to an angry clash in the tunnel following a fiery first leg contest in Florida. Monterrey went on to prevail 5-2 on aggregate, sending Inter Miami crashing out, and Ortiz insists that it was never his intention to ruffle the feathers of eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi.

• WHAT ORTIZ SAID

  Ortiz said after seeing his side prevail 3-1 on home soil, with Messi playing the full 90 minutes: “I said that we were going to beat them, not for a lack of respect for Miami, just because I thought that my players would understand what needed to be done. To me, Leo is the greatest player of all time, I did not mean to offend anyone, I just gave an honest opinion.”

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  DID YOU KNOW?

  USMNT star Brandon Vazquez, German Berterame and Jesus Gallardo got the goals for Monterrey as they progressed to the Champions Cup semi-finals, with Ortiz adding: “As a coach, I’m happy to eliminate a great team. Gerardo (Martino) and Leo are a great coach and player who are recognised worldwide. We have the satisfaction to win the series, but we are thinking of Tigres.”

Liverpool will be looking to strengthen the ranks in 2024 and could unearth an exciting new attacking talent to bolster the existing options at Jurgen Klopp's disposal.

After suffering a calamitous 2022/23 campaign that locked the door on a seventh successive Champions League campaign unde Klopp's stewardship, the Merseyside outfit wiped away the sapped midfield and brought in a wealth of new additions.

And despite a testing week at present that has resulted in a Premier League draw away to newly-promoted Luton Town and a chastening defeat against French side Toulouse in the Europa League, Klopp will be convinced that his side can return to winning ways soon.

That being said, more work is needed on the transfer front in 2024 to restore Anfield to its former vigour, and while the priority will likely be on signing a defensive midfielder and left-sided defender, the Reds boss will be eager to fortify his frontline and given the target's youthful years, could be the perfect option.

Liverpool transfer news – Assane Diao

According to Spanish sources, Liverpool are set to rival Chelsea for the signature of Real Betis winger Assane Diao, who has emerged as one of LaLiga's top talents this season.

The Reds have been impressive in the Premier League this season but still need to improve to sustain a title challenge against the likes of Manchester City and Arsenal, with Tottenham Hotspur also in the mix under Ange Postecoglou's guidance.

In the 18-year-old Diao, Klopp could unearth a destructive new force still malleable enough to be sculpted to his own creation, though the German manager will have to meet the player's €30m (£26m) release clause, with Betis eager to agree to a new deal that raises that amount to €40m (£35m).

Assane Diao's style of play

Despite his youthful years, Diao has burst onto the major scene emphatically this season and has already scored four goals across all competitions for the Spanish side despite only playing ten times.

The two-cap Spain U21 international started his career as a midfielder but quickly proved his attacking skills were not to be sniffed at, and having joined Real Betis from fellow Spanish side Cadiz in 2021, has undergone a positional transformation to left wing, which is proving to propel him into first-team contention.

Strengths

Weaknesses

Aerial duels

Ball retention

Dribbling

Finishing

Long shots

*Sourced via WhoScored

While WhoScored has listed Diao's ability to hold onto the ball as a weakness, it is important to remember that he is literally at the start of the embryonic stage of his professional career, and given that he has impressed through his innate striking ability and elegance and effectiveness in dribbling the ball into the danger areas, this is hardly a cause for concern.

Remarked to be having an "incredible time" with his football right now by talent scout Jacek Kulig, Diao has scored twice from only six starting appearances in LaLiga, completing 80% of his passes, succeeding with 54% of his regular dribbling runs and winning 56% of his duels.

As per FBref, the Senegalese-born starlet ranks among the top 2% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for goals, the top 24% for successful take-ons, the top 19% for tackles, the top 11% for interceptions, the top 1% for blocks and the top 6% for aerial wins per 90.

Not only are his prodigious roots tantalising a career of prolific success, but he is also dazzling with his application and work rate, as is evidenced by his eye-catching defensive metrics.

Such qualities are similar to Merseyside-born Premier League star, Antony Gordon, who joined Newcastle United from Everton in a £45m transfer earlier this year.

How Assane Diao compares to Anthony Gordon

Gordon is listed as a similar player to Diao, as per FBref, and it's clear to see why, with the 22-year-old blessed with electric pace himself and a real ball of fire in his craft.

Unbeknownst to many, Gordon actually joined the Goodison Park side from their Anfield rivals as a youngster after being released from Liverpool's youth academy as a young teenager.

Speaking about his past affiliation with the Reds earlier this year, Gordon said: "It was another chance for me to grow. But that was hard. It affected me mentally and dented my confidence. I had to pick myself up and go again. When I got to Everton, I never looked back.”

Whether Liverpool rue the decision is questionable – under Klopp, they have revelled in an illustrious period steeped in offensive fluency – but nonetheless could have made good use of Gordon's ability had he remained on the books.

That can be rectified through the acquisition of Diao, who indeed offers skills to mirror Gordon's, with the Magpies menace ranking among the top 4% for tackles and the top 12% for blocks per 90.

The £60k-per-week wideman has been crucial for Eddie Howe's side this term and has posted four goals and two assists from ten matches in the Premier League, creating five big chances, completing 85% of his passes and succeeding with 58% of his dribbles, as per Sofascore.

Always considered a talented prospect but perhaps criticised for a lack of end product, Gordon is now starting to demonstrate his potential on Tyneside and is a perfect example of allowing players to nurture their core qualities and bloom into formidable forces at their own pace.

Season

Apps

Goals

Assists

G/A rate

23/24

10

4

2

0.60

22/23

32

4

0

0.12

21/22

35

4

2

0.17

20/21

3

0

0

n/a

19/20

11

0

1

0.09

*Statistics sourced via Transfermarkt

Whether Klopp opts to spend the money on Diao with other areas of the pitch requiring work remains to be seen at this point, but it could be a good move to make given that Betis ace would be happy with playing second fiddle to the likes of Luis Diaz at this stage.

With his alacritous motions and innate faculty for finding the back of the net, Diao would be a player worth investing in, and he could grow into one of the Premier League's finest forwards in the future.

Former Barcelona player Dani Alves been released from prison on bail as he awaits final sentencing in his sexual assault case.

Alves sentenced to four and a half years in jailReleased from prison after hearingBail set at €1 millionWHAT HAPPENED?

Alves was sentenced to four years and six months in jail in February after being found guilty of sexual assault. The Brazilian has appealed the sentence and asked to be released on bail at a hearing, insisting he will not flee the country, as reported by El Pais. Alves will now be released from prison, pending the final sentencing, and with bail set at €1m (£853,000/$108m) – as per .

AdvertisementGettyWHAT DANI ALVES SAID

He told a bail hearing: "I believe in justice. I’m not going to run away and I will be at the disposal of the court until the end."

ALVES DENIED BAIL PREVIOUSLY

Alves's lawyer Ines Guardiola had also argued for the former Barcelona star to be released on bail, pointing out he has a home and deep roots in the city after playing for the club between 2008 and 2016 and then returning for a second stint in 2021. The disgraced star was denied bail before he was sentenced in February after being deemed a "flight risk" but is now set to be released after spending the last 14 months behind bars.

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WHAT NEXT FOR DANI ALVES

As well as paying the €1m bail, Alves has also had his passports taken away, must make a weekly appearance in court and has been banned from going within 1km of his accuser or communicating with her, according to Mundo Deportivo.

ECB Reporters Network22-Jul-20182:03

Clark’s stunning Roses hat-trick stuns Yorkshire

ScorecardA maiden first-class century from Ryan Higgins put Gloucestershire in a decent position on the opening day of the Specasavers County Championship match with Durham at Cheltenham.The 23-year-old former Middlesex all-rounder was out in the last over of the day for 105 as his side ran up 315 for seven after winning the toss. Miles Hammond (51) and Gareth Roderick (67) were the other main contributors.Chris Rushworth and Ben Stokes each claimed three of the wickets, Stokes beginning with a seven-over spell that brought him 2 for 10. But Durham’s other England bowler Mark Wood was off the field having physiotherapy during the afternoon and, although he returned to the field, he bowled only six overs in the day.Stokes was the star of the early exchanges, generating pace and bounce from the Chapel End after coming on first change.He pinned Chris Dent lbw for 19 and had Benny Howell taken at gully off a sharply lifting delivery for four after Gloucestershire had elected to bat in bright sunshine.In between the two wickets Stokes struck James Bracey a painful blow on an elbow. After treatment the 21-year-old batsman headed off to hospital for a more extensive examination.Ben Stokes was back in action•Getty ImagesHammond, already a centurion at the Festival, again looked in fine form, putting on 40 with Dent for the first wicket. The left-hander was unbeaten on 36 at lunch, which was taken with Gloucestershire 80 for two off 28 overs.Hammond went on to a half-century off 97 balls, with 9 fours. But he fell early in the afternoon session, bowled by Rushworth, who beat his defensive shot.Roderick survived a couple of blows to the helmet on the lively pitch to post fifty off 93 deliveries, with 8 fours, and shared a fourth-wicket stand of 107 with Higgins to put their side on top.Tea was taken at 218 for three, with Higgins having brought up his half-century off 67 balls, hitting six fours. It was an untimely interval for Roderick, who in the first over after the resumption fell lbw to Salisbury on the back foot.Higgins went past his previous best score of 63 and set his sights on three figures. The injured Bracey returned to help add 64 before departing to the second new ball, an lbw victim for Rushworth.Kieran Noema-Barnett fell cheaply to the same bowler, but Higgins punched the air at reaching his ton off 141 balls, having increased his boundary count to 12.He was caught at backward point off what proved the final delivery of the day to his intense frustration, Stokes claiming a third wicket. He ended the day with three for 40 from an impressive 18.4 overs, while Rushworth had three for 82 off 20.

Everton boast one of the most prolific academies in the entire Premier League, having produced a steady stream of young stars for decades now.

However, few excited in recent memory like Ross Barkley, who seemingly was destined to go to the very top.

How good was Ross Barkley?

Having slowly worked his way into the first team under initially David Moyes and later Roberto Martinez, his true breakthrough year came during the 2013/14 campaign, where he featured 34 times in the number ten spot, scoring six goals.

It marked a fine return for the powerful youngster, who knew exactly how to utilise his tall, gangly frame to retain possession whilst dancing past defenders.

The 29-year-old would swiftly grow into one of the division's brightest prospects, with the 2015/16 term arguably marking his peak, notching 16 league goal contributions, and seemingly living up to the hype that Martinez had built for the former Preston North End loanee: "The power and pace he has combined with that technical ability and ball control makes him special.

"Sometimes you get a really talented footballer that is skilful on the ball, or the powerful and strong (player) that can show that physicality on the pitch. He’s got both."

A towering but tricky midfielder with an eye for a goal and an assist, fans have seemingly never forgiven him for the manner of his £15m Chelsea switch, especially given they could have arguably earned around £50m the summer earlier. However, when he played for the Toffees he was adored.

So, with another similar star emerging in Sean McAllister, perhaps fans could be set to enjoy their next creative star set to dominate the Premier League.

Who is Sean McAllister?

Although he is yet to claim his first senior appearance, the 21-year-old maestro has been posting consistently impressive numbers for the U21s, and could soon be in line for a debut should he maintain his form.

After all, the former U19 Northern Ireland international has just enjoyed a stellar season for the youth sides, where his versatility saw him feature in no less than seven different roles. And yet, despite that uncertainty, he would still post ten goal contributions across just 19 games in all competitions.

Whilst he does not boast the natural physique of Barkley, many have rushed to laud the mindset of the midfield wizard, which has helped him rise to any challenges in his path. In fact, upon signing a new contract last year, Director of Football Kevin Thelwell was keen to praise him: "We are very pleased Sean has signed a new contract.

"Sean has a lot of the key elements you require as a midfielder – technical ability, energy, composure and a strong work-ethic – and we are looking forward to helping him continue to progress.."

It is worth noting that, in the year before his loan spell with the Lilywhites, the current Luton Town man would only record six goal contributions 14 youth clashes. Already McAllister seems ready for that show of faith, to potentially become the answer to their goalscoring prayers and finally start adding some much-needed goals to Sean Dyche's engine room.

Manchester United are now monitoring an “incredible” £28 million striker ahead of a possible move for him in the summer, according to a recent report.

Man Utd news and updates

The Red Devils are back in Premier League action on Saturday lunchtime as they travel to Goodison Park for the final time to face Everton. It has been another week of no midweek matches for United, and Ruben Amorim will be hoping he can welcome one or two players back who missed the game against Tottenham.

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Kobbie Mainoo looks set to be on the sidelines for the next couple of games, but Amorim could receive a double boost, as defender Leny Yoro and midfielder Christian Eriksen are expected to be back for the game against Everton after recovering from illness. Meanwhile, Manuel Ugarte and Toby Collyer could also be involved, as their injuries are not considered serious.

Away from injury news, it was reported this week that former Man United player Mason Greenwood is being linked with a move to both Paris Saint-Germain and FC Barcelona. The French champions are said to have already offered £62 million to sign the player, which is great news for United, as they have a 50% sell-on clause, meaning they will earn £31 million from that transfer should it go through.

Man Utd monitoring £28m striker with incredible jump

Some of that money they could get from Greenwood could be used to sign a new striker, as according to Turkish outlet Sabah relayed by The People’s Person, Man United are keeping a close eye on Fenerbahce’s Youssef En-Nesyri ahead of the summer transfer window.

The Red Devils have been mentioned with a move for the forward before, but interest has never gathered to the point a bid has been made. But it is now claimed that United as well as Arsenal are monitoring En-Nesyri, as he impresses in Turkey.

The 27-year-old, who has been dubbed “incredible” by David Moyes, joined the Turkish giants in the summer transfer window from Sevilla, and he has become a real hit for Fenerbahçe under José Mourinho.

The forward has scored an impressive 15 goals in just 22 Süper Lig games, as Mourinho’s side try to chase down Galatasaray at the top of the table, but his real claim to fame was his form in the 2022 World Cup, where his headed finish for Morocco against Portugal saw him jump to 2.78 meters, higher than Cristiano Ronaldo’s famous header against Sampdoria.

Apps

35

Goals

23

Assists

4

The Morocco international spent all his career in Spain before moving to Turkey, so he is a player that has never played in the Premier League before. However, the physical power and ability in the air he possesses means he could fit perfectly into the Premier League, standing at 6 foot 2.

The Red Devils need to add more power to their forward line in the summer, and while En-Nesyri may not be their preferred choice to lead the line, he could be a very useful back-up option for Amorim. However, he would be a costly backup, as a team from Saudi Arabia bid 35 million euros (£28m) in the summer, and that was knocked back by Fenerbahce.

Manchester United appear to be one of two clubs leading the race to sign an in-demand gem, and a new update has been shared when the Red Devils may hear if they are going to be successful.

What’s the latest Man United transfer news?

It turned out to be an eventful few months at Old Trafford off the pitch, with several incomings and outgoings in the transfer market and a takeover failing to materialise.

In total, United and Erik ten Hag brought in seven new players, with the likes of Rasmus Hojlund, Andre Onana and Mason Mount joining in big-money deals. The club also received fees for six players in permanent exits and even sealed late loan moves for Sofyan Amrabat and Sergio Reguilon from Fiorentina and Tottenham Hotspur.

However, despite the transfer window shutting, it looks as if the Red Devils are still trying to put deals in place ahead of the New Year.

One youngster who was linked with a move to Old Trafford last month was Dino Klapija from Croatian side Kustosija. Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano said that talks were held over a deal, with RB Leipzig also keen.

“Understand Manchester United and RB Leipzig are both negotiating to sign top talent Dino Klapija — also an option to close the deal now for January Decision on player side expected soon as 2007 born striker will leave Croatian side NK Kustosija soon.”

There has now been a further update, showing how there could soon be a further development.

According to The Daily Mail, ‘Klapija hopes to have a clearer idea of whether he will move to the club after the international break’. It is believed that United and Leipzig are the clubs in pole position to sign the 16-year-old ahead of AC Milan, Barcelona, Chelsea and Juventus and are willing to pay £5m to seal a deal.

Who is Dino Klapija?

Klapija is a centre-forward who previously turned out as a midfielder and is actually yet to make his senior debut for NK Kustosija but has been capped by Croatia at U17 level.

Born in the USA, Klapija was previously on the books of New York City and appears to be a highly-rated teenager going off the clubs who have shown an interest in his services.

He could well be the next player to make the move to Carrington after the club moved on a number of youngsters in recent months.

The likes of Matej Kovar, Teden Mengi, Zidane Iqbal, Charlie Savage and Marc Jurado have all left Old Trafford, with the club adding in some beneficial sell-on and buy-back clauses as well as achievable long-term add-ons.

Should Klapija choose United over Leipzig in the coming days, weeks or months, then you’d expect that he may go into the club’s academy ranks before a potential loan move away looking to get a first taste of senior football.

It could be a while until he progresses into the first team, but after rejecting a £4m move for Erling Haaland previously, United won’t want a repeat when it comes to Klapija.