Man Utd begin transfer pursuit of Austrian wonderkid rated by Ralf Rangnick
Manchester United are reportedly monitoring Red Bull Salzburg prodigy Oghenetejiri Adejenughure alongside other elite clubs.
Adejenughure, 17, caught the eye in RB Salzburg's youth team last season, plundering 16 goals in 20 games at Under-18 level. He also scored four goals in as many matches for Austria at the Under-17 European Championships last month.
RB Salzburg have played a significant role in the development of a number of players who have gone on to secure dream moves across Europe via their reserve team, FC Liefering, including Dominik Szoboszlai. And with plenty of interest in his services, it now seems Adejenughure could be the latest highly-rated star to be lured away from Austria.
As first revealed by The Express, Manchester United are among a cluster of top clubs who are tracking the talented teenager. The report also claims that others who are monitoring his progress include Borussia Dortmund and AC Milan. RB Salzburg are hopeful, though, that they can keep hold of Adejenughure and are set to offer him the chance to feature regularly for FC Liefering next year in a bid to ward off rival interest.
The player is believed to have captured the attention of Manchester United's former interim manager, Ralf Rangnick. The 65-year-old, who endured a chastening six-month stint in the Old Trafford hotseat, is now in charge of the Austrian national team. It's claimed Rangnick has 'already earmarked' Adejenughure as a player with the potential to feature for the senior team in the near future given his talent.
The current United regime are expected to be active in the transfer market this summer following Sir Jim Ratcliffe 's acquisition of a 27.7 per cent stake in the club last year. The Ineos chief and his team have assumed control of sporting operations at the club and it's been widely reported that they are in the market for younger players.
Erik ten Hag, who learned earlier this week that he would be remaining in his post as manager, it believed to be keen on signing a striker to support Rasmus Hojlund ahead of the 2024/25 campaign. A number of names have since been linked with the Red Devils, who are determined to get value for money this summer. One such player is Bologna's highly-rated forward Joshua Zirkzee, who has a modest £34million release clause in his contract.
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Austria head coach Ralf Rangnick looks on during a training session
Although the transfer window only officially opened on Friday, Ineos have already been pursuing targets. The Times revealed that personal terms have been agreed with the representatives of Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite following the 21-year-old's impressive breakthrough campaign last year.
The Toffees swiftly rejected United's opening offer, said to be in the region of £45million, and value Branthwaite at £70m. United are poised to return with an improved offer in the coming days as they bid to make the defender their first summer signing.
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