Man Utd eye 8 in 9 Colombian wonderkid, want 'generational' midfielder, and have six-man striker shortlist

Manchester United are continuing to eye the South American market with one of the most exciting young players on the continent catching the club’s eye.

United In Focus can provide a comprehensive breakdown of Manchester United’s early activity, heading towards the summer transfer window.

Speaking to transfer insider Graeme Bailey, UIF can reveal Manchester United are eyeing Colombian wonderkid striker Neyser Villarreal.

Neyser Villarreal, 19, plays for Colombian club Millonarios, and recently attracted United’s attention with a series of outstanding performances at the FIFA South American under-20 championships.

Villarreal scored 8 goals in 9 games, also contributing four assists, to finish the tournament as the top goalscorer.

He has 10 goals in 15 matches for Colombia’s under-20 side. Bailey says Porto and Liverpool are also interested in the young striker.

His contract at his current club expires in December 2025, making it likely his club will cash in during the summer transfer window.

A potential summer move could follow Manchester United’s recent signing of Diego Leon, who starred at the tournament in action for Paraguay.

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Manchester United checking out South American market

Speaking to United In Focus, Bailey explained: “United have a very good scouting network on South America and good contacts – both essential. We have just seen young Diego Leon come in and United were strongly represented at the South American Under-20 Championship.

“I brought the news on UIF that Argentine centre-half pairing Juan Gimenez and Tobias Ramirez caught their eye, And they do like them.

“I am also told that United were one of the sides who were impressed with Colombian Neyser Villarreal – who finished as top-scorer.

“And whilst we are on the subject of Colombians – a couple of things, I know they are one of the teams who have looked Independiente del Valle’s 15-year-old prospect Johan Martinez.

“United were also one of the teams who really liked Ecuadorian Keny Arroyo before he joined Besiktas in January.”

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Chris Rigg is key target for Manchester United

Manchester United are continuing to closely pay attention to Sunderland wonderkid Chris Rigg, viewing him as a key target for the summer.

Bailey explained: “Chris Rigg is their priority over Sverre Nypan. They ‘love’ this player, they truly believe he is generational, potentially in the same class as Jude Bellingham, not putting pressure on him. But I firmly believe he is that good.

A choice between Nypan and Rigg… Rigg every day of the week and an extra Bank Holiday – United failed when it came to Bellingham, they can’t do that with Rigg.”

On topic of Rosenborg’s Sverre Nypan, he added: “Nypan is a player that United have done so much work on, but they are not in pole position – Arsenal and Man City are both driving hard for him. But for United and Nypan they are looking elsewhere.”

Angel Gomes is also a name in the mix, as a free agent, but Bailey does not believe a deal to be probable, commenting: “I don’t see a place for him at United – I think if he comes back to England this summer, he heads back to London.”

Manchester United have a six man striker shortlist

Striker is the top priority for Manchester United this summer, neither Rasmus Hojlund or Joshua Zirkzee hitting double figures by the end of March.

United are reported to have a six-man shortlist for the position, Bailey explains, commenting: “The basics are that United want one new striker this summer – my understanding is that Ruben Amorim has made that clear to Jason Wilcox and the footballing department, and they agree.

“Viktor Gyokeres, Victor Osimhen, Dusan Vlahovic, Liam Delap, Benjamin Sesko, Jonathan Burkardt – all of the best striking talent, suitable for that lone role, are being looked at and worked on. I can confirm that. United are working hard on that.”

United In Focus broke the news on interest in German striker Jonathan Burkardt, who has struck 16 goals in 23 games for Mainz this season.

One player unlikely to be an option is soon-to-be free agent Jonathan David, with Bailey adding that Barcelona are pushing hard to sign him as competition for Robert Lewandowski, with talk of United interest over-played.

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Victor Osimhen of particular interest for United

Victor Osimhen has scored 26 goals already for Galatasaray on loan this season and the move to United appeals to him.

Bailey explains: “United like him, they have watched him recently – and just to put the record straight, it obviously wasn’t to check on him as a player, it was to gauge his mentality, how was taken to playing in Turkey against some tough opposition and he has been brilliant, let’s not get away from it – he has been outstanding for Galatasaray.

“I am told a move to Old Trafford appeals to Osimhen, maybe more so than some of the strikers they have and are looking at.

“Osimhen is only 26 – age not an issue, he could be that sort of figurehead that United have not had since a Ronaldo, van Nistelrooy or van Persie, but if he comes in he is going to be on big money and that is clearly a risk in some regard.”

He adds: “Personally, I think United should look for Osimhen – I think he is marquee frontline striker, ready to come and be their dominant number 9. That is regardless of whether they can move Hojlund or not.”

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Rasmus Hojlund, Joshua Zirkzee and Alejandro Garnacho latest

On Rasmus Hojlund: “United know they could sell this summer – Napoli as we know like him, as do Juventus, his stock is quite high still in Italy. But they are not alone with Bayer Leverkusen, RB Leipzig and Champions League chasing Mainz all keen.

“So, the interest is there – however, United know that they are not getting their plus £70m fee back, but that is true no matter of Hojlund’s form.

“United like Rasmus Hojlund, I am told the club firmly believe he is a talent, but there are some within the club who feel they need to cut and run.

“And the player himself is unsure. He loves United and wants to make it work, but in a World Cup year – does he want a possible season of struggle or does he want a fresh start. As it stands, United are looking and considering what to do, but so is the player.”

On Joshua Zirkzee: “On Zirkzee – the club and Amorim love how he has really knuckled down and has shown his determination to his United career on track.

“Amorim knows he got it wrong taking him off against Newcastle, but the player has reacted well.

“Does he have a long-term future, let’s see – he has shown he can play as a CAM too, which helps but clearly it does not appear that he is going to be capable of leading the line in an Amorim system.”

On Alejandro Garnacho: “There is really only one place for him in this current United side – as one of the two CAMs – but is that his best position?

“Does he want to play that role? I would suggest no is the answer to both questions.

“United accept Garnacho’s situation – they know he is a hugely talented player and love him, but they also know that some players under the Amorim system simply would not work and he could be one of those.

“United are in need of raising some funds and Garnacho’s potential sale represents a possible huge windfall – and it could come when they really need it.”

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On Manchester United loan players

Manchester United could recoup funds from selling some of the players currently out on loan.

On Jadon Sancho: “With regard Sancho – he has done OK – I can confirm there is a what is being described to me a ‘mechanism’ that could yet see Sancho return to Old Trafford.

“Not the news United or the fans really want to hear. With Estevao coming in, and others being linked I believe as it stands Chelsea plan on doing the deal, but it is not 100% yet.

“It is certainly more likely than not, but not set in stone as said.”

On Marcus Rashford: “He is enjoying his loan spell at Aston Villa, it has seen him recalled by England. However, a word of warning – he he has started as many games this year for England as he has league games for Villa.

Villa have the option to make the deal permanent at £40million – but it is not the easy.

Rashford has to agree to it primarily but even if he does, to make the move happen United will have to make substantial payments on his wages – if they don’t he won’t go.

On Antony: “He is enjoying his football and showing his talent. I understand Betis want to keep him, but could that be another loan, possibly. Like Rashford he is on huge money, in terms of what they can afford.

“United will hope other clubs come in and they can manage to get as much money back as they can and clear his wages. but it won’t be an easy deal for anyone.”

Jarrad Branthwaite unlikely as centre-back option

“We know they like Branthwaite – they bid for him last summer, and they are keeping a close check on his situation – as they would and do with any target.

“However, talk of United coming in already with a new £50m offer, I can tell you that Everton’s asking price, if they have one, has not dropped at all – all day long he is £70m plus, since his return from injury this season has been outstanding, despite what Thomas Tuchel might have you believe.

“But, in terms of Branthwaite – I believe, and so do Everton, that he is more than likely to sign a new deal with The Toffees.

“In terms of the Sporting pair – let’s be clear Ruben Amorim is not pushing any of his former players, but we know that if they ask him for references they are going to be glowing.

“Diomande has a lot of interest and is very highly thought of, but is right-sided – I do think that is a consideration, like Branthwaite who is left, Inacio is that. United do like them both and are keeping abreast of the situation.

“But as said, whilst they want to invest in three, four, five areas – there are budget constraints that must and will be considered.”

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Manchester United goalkeeper latest

Bailey explained that United’s goalkeeper situation has some question marks, with nothing fully defined for 2025/26.

“I know that Amorim and United do have concerns, they have eyes – they know it isn’t where is should be.

“Current number two Altay Bayindir will be leaving – I am told that a move back to Turkey is more than likely. With that, a number two is likely needed.

“I confirmed this week that James Trafford is one to keep an eye, United have asked about him – but would that be as a two or a one? it is not certain. Could a new number one be needed? Possibly.

“I am told Andre Onana is committed to United and battling for his place – but he is one of the keepers under consideration for the Saudi Pro League, along with Ederson and Alisson.

“United are in touch with the Pro League – there are a number of topics they are talking about, primarily the Casemiro situation, but I believe the Saudi’s have enquired about Onana too.”

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