Manchester United starlet Charlie Wellens has reportedly emerged as a transfer target for Tottenham Hotspur and AS Roma.
According to a report from The Sun, Tottenham Hotspur are set to battle it out with former manager Jose Mourinho’s AS Roma for the signing of Manchester United youngster Charlie Wellens.
The 19-year-old came through the youth ranks at Manchester United and made a big impression for the Under-18 side, bagging eight goals and five assists from 37 appearances. Having been promoted to the Under-23s, Wellens has continued to impress, having produced a handy return of one goal and four assists in the Premier League 2 this season.
While he is yet to make his first-team debut for Manchester United, the youngster, who can play at right-back, left-back or even in central midfield, had been called up to senior training sessions back when Mourinho was the manager. He continues to be held in high regard within the club and was named in the Champions League squad for the season.
After leaving Manchester United, Mourinho wanted to sign the 19-year-old versatile midfielder at Tottenham. Having moved on from the north London club, the Portuguese is now in charge of AS Roma and has his sights set on a reunion with Wellens. At the same time, Spurs have continued to hold an interest in the Englishman even after Jose’s exit.
Wellens has displayed great versatility in his burgeoning career so far and has made an impression playing at right-back in the ongoing campaign. That is an area where both Roma and Tottenham Hotspur are looking at reinforcements.
Roma are scouring the market for a new right-sided full-back to provide cover and competition for Rick Karsdorp. While they had been strongly linked with a move for another Manchester United star in Diogo Dalot, the Portuguese looks set to stay at Old Trafford, having grown in prominence under Ralf Rangnick.
As a result, the Giallorossi are looking at other options, with Wellens emerging due to his potential, versatile nature and past association with Mourinho. Meanwhile, Tottenham brought in a new right-back in Emerson Royal in the summer but are believed to be looking to offload Matt Doherty after his struggles in north London.
With Japhet Tanganga not an out-and-out full-back, Wellens, who has shown good attacking capabilities while playing out wide, can be seen as an option to cover for Emerson while also providing additional options in midfield. The 19-year-old will see his contract with Manchester United expire at the end of the season, and it will be interesting to see if Mourinho beats his ex-employers to the signing of the teenage prospect.
