SL Benfica have reportedly slapped a £16 million price tag on Umaro Embalo, who is being tailed by the likes of Barcelona and Manchester United.
According to Manchester Evening News, Manchester United have received a major boost in pursuit of Umaro Embalo. SL Benfica had maintained a tough stance on the youngster’s ability. But, the Portuguese giants have now slapped a £16 million price tag on the player, who is also a target for Barcelona.
Umaro Embalo is widely hailed as the best product to emerge from the fabled SL Benfica youth setup. That the player has drawn comparisons with the likes of Nani and Cristiano Ronaldo only goes to show how highly he is rated in the nation.
Captain of the Under-17 Portugal National Team, the player has been rampant internationally, with 7 goals from 13 games so far. At club level, the 16-year-old is yet to make his senior debut but has been making waves representing Benfica in the lower age levels and the UEFA Youth League.
It is evident for a prodigy of this magnitude to draw interest from a host of clubs. Manchester United’s interest is well justified. Not only is the player compared to two of the most successful Portuguese imports at Old Trafford – Nani and Cristiano Ronaldo – but Jose Mourinho’s transfer business history with Benfica is also well known.
The Red Devils are in need of reinforcements on the wing – the right wing to be very precise. While Juan Mata played a starring role against Leicester, Mourinho would still want a true winger with pace and sting on the right. United failed to bring in a player in the summer transfer window but look intent on rectifying it come January.
The Red Devils have already been linked to Malcom, Willian, Marco Asensio and Christian Pulisic – all more realistic targets than the likes of Eden Hazard and Gareth Bale, who were also linked with the club in recent times. But, Umbalo, at 16, could be just the player to bring in at this moment.
MARCA:
Barcelona are tracking Portuguese wonderkid Umaro Embalo (16, RW). Reports on him have been excellent so far and a possible move to Catalonia is pending his evolution. Embalo is just 16 years old but Barcelona have been tracking him for several seasons. pic.twitter.com/sCJRRoGoYl— ᵁᴸᵀᴿᴬ® (@UltraAutistic) December 13, 2017
Not only will Umbalo cost less but the player will also not be wishing for first-team minutes from the get-go, which will not disrupt any harmony within the squad.
Barcelona though, are also in the race for Umbalo and were looking to beat United to the 16-year-old prodigy. There have been murmurs that Cristiano Ronaldo was on the verge of joining Barcelona from United before Real came calling and the Catalans will look to correct things this time around.
Also, with Vinicius Jr. choosing Real Madrid, Barcelona are looking at Umbalo’s capture as their answer to Real’s Brazilian venture.
According to the report, SL Benfica are now ready to cash in on the in-demand talent and are looking to agree a transfer for a fee around the £16 million mark – something that will be music to the ears of Manchester United and Barcelona.
United failed with a £5 million bid for the player early on and could return with the aforementioned fee to land the 16-year-old. Umbalo has looked the part so far and is due a transfer to a huge club in his career. And judging by the reports, United could make it happen soon enough.
