Now that Dan Ashworth has officially joined Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Co. at the helm of Manchester United’s new-look sporting structure, the club can start getting down to business on the transfer market.
Reports had already suggested that INEOS were keen to implement a host of new policies, including signing more homegrown British players and players under the age of 24 in order to build a squad of young talents who can flourish long-term.
One transfer rumour falls in line with the latter, as the Red Devils have been freshly linked with Borussia Monchengladbach prospect Winsley Boteli, who has been dubbed the ‘top jewel’ of the side’s academy by Bild.
The 17-year-old starlet netted 21 goals and recorded four assists in as many games in the U19 Bundesliga West last season, as well as notching four goals and one assist in just 314 minutes on the pitch for the reserves.
Boteli, a Switzerland U18 international, is also attracting interest from Serie A giants Juventus, although only United are thought to have ignited their pursuit of the youngster as it stands.
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Bild claims that Erik ten Hag’s assistant coach, Mitchell van der Gaag, has done his bit to make the first steps in potentially getting a deal over the line; he has approached Boteli’s agent Christopher Mandiangu, whom he coached during his playing career at FC Eindhoven, to personally express the Reds’ desire to sign his sought-after talent.
The report adds: “If Man United really gets serious in the next few days, Gladbach will no longer have a good hand in the Boteli poker game – the club cannot compete with the European heavyweight either in sporting or financial terms.”
