Manchester United have apparently entered the race to secure Austrian prodigy Oghenetejiri Adejenughure, who is earning quite the reputation as the “next Erling Haaland.”
The Red Devils had once close ties with the towering Norwegian striker, as former manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer had shown keen interest in signing him before Haaland decided to move to Manchester City.
Now, as reported by The Daily Star, United seem determined not to miss out on another rising star from the Austrian leagues. They’ve already dispatched scouts to keep a close eye on the 18-year-old playing for Liefering, a club nestled in the mid-tier of Austria’s second division.
Liefering, in fact, serves as a feeder team to Red Bull Salzburg, the very club where Haaland began turning heads. It seems they, too, view Adejenughure as an emerging gem in their rich pipeline of talent. Although the young forward has managed only two goals and an assist in 18 league matches, it’s his remarkable form in youth competitions that truly stands out.
During his spell with Red Bull Salzburg’s U18 team, Adejenughure racked up 19 goals in 22 appearances, and delivered 15 goals across 30 matches for their U16s. His prowess extended to the Austrian national youth teams as well, netting an impressive four goals in four games during the U17 European Championships.
Such performances haven’t gone unnoticed, catching the eye of former United interim manager Ralf Rangnick, who invited the teenager to train with Austria’s senior squad. While some might critique Rangnick’s stint at United, his talent-spotting skills remain undisputed.
Pursuing Adejenughure aligns with United’s recent strategy of snapping up youthful players at a bargain, equipped with high potential—a strategy which has already seen talents like Chido Obi and Ayden Heaven brought in from Arsenal.
However, securing Adejenughure’s signature won’t be straightforward. The competition promises to be intense, with teams like AC Milan and Borussia Dortmund also expressing interest in the young striker. The Daily Star notes that these clubs are all captivated by the idea that Adejenughure could indeed become the next Erling Haaland.
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