Manchester United are reportedly tracking Slavia Prague’s 19-year-old attacker Abdallah Sima with a view to sign him up in the summer transfer window.
According to a report from Manchester Evening News, Manchester United are closely monitoring the progress of Slavia Prague’s teenage attacker Abdallah Sima as they look to bolster their attacking unit in the summer.
Sima, 19, began is footballing journey in his homeland Senegal with FC Medina before moving to France, where he had a stint with Thonon Evian. March last year saw the versatile forward make the jump to Czech Republic outfit FC MAS Taborsko and only five months later he was snapped up by Slavia Prague.
In his first season with the capital club, Sima has impressed leaps and bounds. Indeed, the 19-year-old, who has primarily played on the right flank this term, has racked up a highly impressive tally of 19 goals and 6 assists across all competitions. The teenager played a key role in Slavia Prague’s UEFA Europa League quarter-final run, which was halted by Arsenal earlier this month.
And, Sima’s development in Prague has alerted Manchester United ahead of the summer window, as per the report. It is no secret that the Red Devils have been on the lookout for a right-sided winger for quite some time now. While the pursuit of Jadon Sancho has seemingly gone cold in recent weeks, the likes of Ousmane Dembele of Barcelona and Leeds United’s breakout star Raphinha continue to be linked with a move to Old Trafford.
Sima, now, has emerged as the latest player that Manchester United have been credited with an interest. Given his age and lack of experience at the highest level in European football, the 19-year-old could very well be categorised under the same bracket as the Red Devils’ signings for the right-wing slot in Amad Diallo and Facundo Pellistri.
The former has made his first-team debut for the Red Devils and scored a goal as well while the latter is out on loan at Deportivo Alaves, where he has been getting regular playing time. The report adds that this is part of Manchester United’s transfer strategy wherein they will target the highest-rated teenagers across the globe, having previously focused on signing players between 23 and 28.
Furthermore, it is also stated that sources have indicated that Sima, despite playing on the right flank at Slavia, is expected to develop into a centre-forward – another position that Manchester United will need reinforcements this summer as question marks remain over the futures of both Edinson Cavani and Anthony Martial, albeit for different reasons.
Sima made his senior debut for the Senegalese national team against DR Congo last month and has started 29 games for Slavia this season, which should make him eligible for a Governing Body Endorsement (GBE) from the Football Association which is needed for him to play for a new English club, as per the report.
It now remains to be seen if Manchester United do act on their interest in the 19-year-old Sima, who has a contract till 2024 with Slavia Prague.
