Manchester United have reportedly submitted a formal offer to AS Monaco in an attempt to land 16-year-old custodian Benoit Badiashile.
French publication L’Equipe are claiming that as many as three members of AS Monaco’s youth setup could be on their way out of the club. Manchester United are reportedly in line to acquire one-third of the trio – 16-year-old custodian Benoit Badiashile.
Benoit Badiashile is the brother of Loic Badiashile, the 19-year-old current third-choice goalkeeper at AS Monaco, has progressed through the various age levels rapidly. The player is also a regular for the French Under-16 side and was a feature for the international side at the Val-de-Marne tournament.
And it is at the Val-de-Marne tournament that the player entered the radar of Manchester United. The Red Devils are in the midst of a huge academy revamp and have already strengthened their youth squad to a considerable extent, both in terms of players and staff.
Kieran McKenna has been brought in to coach the Under-18 side while the same side has been reinforced with talents like Nishan Burkart, Tahith Chong, Joshua Bohui and more to the already present talents like Indy Boonen, Callum Gribbin, Angel Gomes and more.
There were recent reports of the club securing Espanyol’s highly rated central midfielder, Arnau Puigmal – another promising addition to the array of talents in the Under-18 squad, if true.
And it seems the policy is starting to pay dividends, with several promising players emerging – ones that can be a part of the first-team setup at Old Trafford. United are not short-staffed in the goalkeeping area either. David De Gea, the current first-choice at the club, is regarded as one of the best custodians in the world.
16 year olds Arnau Puigmal (Espanyol) & Benoit Badiashile (Monaco) supposedly set for summer moves to Manchester Utd. #mufc @FullTimeDEVILS pic.twitter.com/lm1dqujIZL
— Ashley Hatfield ? (@mDvGamerHD) May 20, 2017
And his deputy Sergio Romero, the first-choice for the Argentine National Team, is perhaps one of the best second-choice goalkeepers in the world. Following the duo is Portuguese keeper Joel Castro Pereira, who has progressed through the academy ranks at the club.
The goalkeeper has been hailed as a future superstar by Jose Mourinho, who even went to the extent of claiming that he could see the Portuguese becoming the best goalkeeper of the next decade for his nation.
However, the club is still keen on adding to the position at the youth level and have identified the 16-year-old AS Monaco star Benoit Badiashile, who was spotted by the club during the Val-de-Marne tournament.
As per the report, the club has already submitted a firm proposal to the club in order to land the player, who still has two years left on his current deal. It will be interesting to see how this progresses and whether Manchester United are able to sign the 16-year-old, given the club’s interest in several first-team members of AS Monaco as well.
However, the club’s interest in the youngster is a great validation for the level of talent the goalkeeper possesses.
