Manchester United are now very keen on signing Ajax midfielder Jorthy Mokio, amid a new update on his future at the Eredivisie club.
With Man United looking to sign a new midfielder, the likes of Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson and Brighton’s Carlos Baleba have been identified as potential targets, but it could be difficult to compete for their signatures, having already established themselves as Premier League stars.
As such, it may be a savvy move to bring in a lesser-known midfielder, with talks to sign AZ Alkmaar midfielder Kees Smit recently advancing, as speculation over Kobbie Mainoo’s future at Old Trafford continues to build.
Ruben Amorim has suggested Mainoo’s lack of game time is due to United simply not playing in enough matches to make full use of the entire squad, saying: “Imagine for me to have Mainoo with that (many) minutes that he’s playing, he needs more games for me to make a rotation because, with one game (a week), it’s really hard.”
However, with Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes making themselves undroppable in recent weeks, a Mainoo departure could be on the cards, and the Red Devils have now joined the race for a potential replacement.
Man Utd now very keen on signing Jorthy Mokio
According to journalist Sacha Tavolieri, in a report for Sky Sports, Man United have now emerged as one of the clubs most interested in signing Ajax midfielder Mokio, who has decided he wants to leave the Eredivisie club.
Ajax are looking to tie the midfielder down to a new contract, but he could seemingly have his head turned, with a number of clubs from across Europe now in the race for his signature.
The 17-year-old is being followed very closely by United, having been identified as the perfect target, but there could be competition for his signature, with Newcastle United and Eintracht Frankfurt also emerging as potential suitors.
The Belgian has been likened to N’Golo Kante, given that he flourishes from a defensive point of view, placing in the 99th percentile for blocks per 90 over the past year, and the 84th percentile for clearances, when compared to other midfielders.
Not only that, but the youngster has also established himself as a first-team regular for Ajax at a very young age, being lauded as an “amazing” player by scout Jacek Kulig.
With Mainoo’s future up in the air, it would make sense to bring in another young midfielder, but Man United may also need to sign another central midfielder alongside Mokio, given that Casemiro’s contract is set to expire at the end of the season.
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