Eniola Olayemi
The January transfer window is open and managers are working hard on strengthening their squads and identifying targets for the summer so we’ll keep you up-to-date with the latest rumours. Manchester United joins the race to sign Cengiz Under
Manchester United has joined Premier League rivals Arsenal and Tottenham in the race to sign AS Roma’s £45m-rated winger Cengiz Under, according to ESPN FC.
The 21-year-old came through the youth ranks at Bucaspor and Altinordu but made his name during an impressive season with Basaksehir before making a €13m [£11.6m] move to Roma in the summer of 2017.
Under has developed in to one of the most exciting young attackers in Italian football over the past 18 months and was recently voted as Roma’s Young Player of the Year having provided 6 goals and 8 assists in his 23 appearances so far this season.
It seems the youngster’s potential has alerted clubs here in England as ESPN FC claim Man Utd have now joined Arsenal and Tottenham in the race to sign under while German giants Bayern Munich are also showing a keen interest.
The report says the Turkish international won’t leave Rome this month but a move is on the cards in the summer as under is one of the lowest paid players at Roma and has so far failed to agree terms over an extension.
ESPN FC claim that Under’s representatives and Roma have now acknowledged that a move at the end of the season is likely but the Italians want at least £44.7m for the player as 25% of his fee will need to be paid to former club Basaksehir.
Unai Emery is on the lookout for attacking reinforcements as Danny Welbeck and Aaron Ramsey will leave the club this summer while the future of Mesut Ozil is also in serious doubt so the Arsenal boss could be eyeing under as a replacement.
Tottenham are also seemingly in the market for another winger as Mauricio Pochettino continues to build a title-challenging squad but it looks like the north London duo will now have to fend off stiff competition from Man Utd, too.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is favourite to secure the permanent managerial position at Old Trafford after winning his first six games in charge and United bosses are ready to back their new manager in the summer as they look to get back challenging for major honours again.
We’ll have to wait and see how things develop over the coming months but it seems a transfer battle is on the cards and under would be an exciting addition if Arsenal, United or Spurs were able to win the race for his signature.
