da betsul： Italian reports suggest Chelsea and Manchester are considering moves for Brazilian u23 international Thiago Maia. Calciomercato believe the interest from both sides is present, but an official offer is yet to be made.
da betsson： The report has got the minds pondering at Football FanCast, contemplating other teenage prodigies the Premier League heavyweights should consider making moves for in the coming transfer windows.
The duo have established reputable academies full of the ‘next’ whoevers – but the majority of starlets remain outside the clubs’ respective boundaries.
Success at academy level has become a paramount priority for both teams in recent years with trophies and awards becoming increasingly expected.
However, youngsters from afar can become invaluable members of the first-team squad and investing early can go on to save small fortunes in the transfer market.
With that in mind, Football FanCast have outlined five more teenage prodigies Chelsea and Manchester United should consider signing.
Gianluigi Donnarumma
Talented teenage goalkeepers rarely are provided with the opportunity to showcase their talent on a regular basis, but that’s not the case with Gianluigi Donnarumma.
AC Milan’s 17-year-old shot-stopping prodigy is causing quite a storm across European football due to his likeness to Gianluigi Buffon and ability to hold down the No.1 spot at the San Siro at such a tender age.
And much like the Italian legend, investing in Donnarumma now could solve goalkeeping issues at any club for the next two decades.
Ruben Neves
Neves’ young career has witnessed him break numerous records – including becoming the youngest ever captain in Champions League history. The central midfielder has been likened to Xavi Alonso and a move away from Porto is seemingly on the cards.
Chelsea have already been linked with the 19-year-old by Mirror Football and the composure he’s shown at such a tender age certainly bodes well for the future.
United should consider rivalling Chelsea for the Portuguese international – who is Porto’s youngest ever player to feature more than 50 times for the club.
Reece Oxford
The hottest young prospect in England at the moment, Oxford has been watched by seemingly every Premier League club wanting to challenge for Champions League football.
Since his debut for West Ham in 2015, the Red Devils, in particular, have been mentioned as possible suitors for the defender-come-midfielder.
West Ham are keen to agree a new contract with the versatile youngster to fend off potential interest, but it’s a matter of time before he departs for greener pastures.
Ousmane Dembele
Borussia Dortmund managed to secure the services of the forward this summer, but both Chelsea and United should keep a hopeful eye on the progression the French star makes in Germany.
Dembele is a quick and skillful attacker capable of decimating teams at the blink of an eye.
Any potential move for the 19-year-old would likely cost upwards of £40million. But Dembele looks set to become a future Ballon d’Or contender, having begun his Black-Yellows career with two goals and four assists in just seven Bundesliga starts.
Youri Tielemans
The Anderlecht football academy has become notorious for producing some of European football’s top talents – with Youri Tielemans the latest off the conveyor belt.
The midfielder seems to have been around for years but a big-money move is yet to occur for the 19-year-old.
The box-to-box midfielder would be perfect for Chelsea’s engine room, which relies heavily on N’Golo Kante and Nemanja Matic’s dynamism, whilst United are still trying to find the right formula in the middle of the park.
Tielemans could be the ideal solution, but Anderlecht won’t let him leave on the cheap.