Manchester United are reportedly keeping tabs on highly-rated Serbian Andrija Zivkovic and have assigned scouts to monitor the SL Benfica player.
According to Portuguese newspaper O Jogo, Manchester United are showing genuine interest in SL Benfica attacker Andrija Zivkovic. The Serbian winger has emerged on the radar of the Red Devils and is a player that is reportedly interesting manager Jose Mourinho, who has assigned scouts to monitor the player’s progress.
As per the report, the scouts have been assigned to watch SL Benfica in action even before the UEFA Champions League draw revealed the two clubs in the same group – the reason being United’s interest in Zivkovic.
Man United’s scouts have given José Mourinho very positive feedback on Andrija Zivkovic over the last year. Arsenal interested too. [O Jogo] pic.twitter.com/2txy58oHGm
— Jan Hagen (@PortuBall) September 15, 2017
Andrija Zivkovic has really captured the imagination of onlookers in Europe. Emanating from the academy at Partizan Belgrade, the player debuted at the age of 17 and was subsequently handed his senior international cap at the same age as well – a remarkable feat for a player of his age.
To be named the captain of a club like Partizan Belgrade at the mere age of 17 is a noteworthy event. However, Zivkovic ended up leaving the Serbian giants for SL Benfica in the summer of 2016 on a free transfer – a move that saw Zivkovic make 24 appearances for his new club and lift the Primeira Liga and the Portuguese Cup in the process.
The Under-20 World Cup winner is one of the hottest properties in Europe and rightly so. Equipped with pace, the right winger can also take to the field on the left, through the centre, as the solitary striker and as an attacking midfielder – amazing versatility for a 21-year-old.
Jose Mourinho’s wish to add a wide attacker to their squad was not hidden from anyone. But, the Portuguese failed to add a player of a similar profile in the summer. And with United competing on multiple fronts, chances are the club will be looking to recruit in January.
Andrija Zivkovic (21) v CSKA
59/65 passes completed
6/6 dribbles completed
3 key passes
2 tackles
1/2 shots on ?
1 dispossessionSpark. ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/1fRDeVb0f3
— Scouted Football (@ScoutedFtbl) September 12, 2017
Zivkovic, however, is being scouted with a more long-term view, with Jose Mourinho continuing to monitor the player’s progress and ready to pounce if and when the opportunity presents itself. A regular at SL Benfica, the player will look to establish himself after recovering from a thigh injury.
Jose Mourinho’s aim is to expand United’s scouting coverage in Eastern Europe, which has seen the club hire Javier Ribalta and more recently Piotr Sadowski from Lech Poznan. It will be interesting to see if United do follow Zivkovic’s progress and decide to swoop in for the Serbian in the future, near or otherwise.
