Celta Vigo winger Theo Bongonda has issued a come-and-get-me plea to Manchester United and Chelsea
Theo Bongonda has been one of Celta Vigo’s stand-out players this season and a key part of their side as Celta have managed to carve a place for themselves in the top half of La Liga Santander.
His performances have impressed several clubs across Europe and reports claim that the Belgian U21 international will soon be called up to the senior squad despite their wealth of talent. Bongonda himself feels that he is ready for a step up to one of Europe’s elite clubs.
“I could comfortably stay another two or three years with Vigo, but it is not my ambition to spend the rest of my career with them,” he said, according to the Manchester Evening News. “If Chelsea, Manchester United or Atletico Madrid call me in the near future I should be ready to make the step up to join them. Every footballer wants to play at the highest possible level.”
Bongonda signed for Celta Vigo from Belgian side SV Zulte Waregem back in 2015 for a fee of just €1.5 million. Despite being just 21 years of age, he has gone on to become one of their most important players over the last few seasons.
A technically gifted player who has a reputation for dribbling at players and direct running – Bongonda has been registering an average of 0.46 key passes, 0.62 chances created and 2.21 successful take ons per 90 minutes in the La Liga, according to Squawka.
Manchester United are on the lookout for young, talented players as Jose Mourinho looks to build a side that can dominate Europe for years to come and Bongonda has shown his potential while still being a fair distance from reaching his peak.
Wayne Rooney and Ashley Young are set to depart the club at the end of the season and United will need reinforcements in attack. Given that Bongonda is a hard-working, dynamic winger he could fit into Mourinho’s plans.
Chelsea have also been on the look out for wingers ahead of next season and have been linked with the likes of Kingsley Coman and Bongonda’s aforementioned attributes mean he will fit into Antonio Conte’s dynamic 3-4-3 system.
Conte also has built a reputation for helping young players flourish and meet their potential, which could be a factor that convinces Bongonda to choose the Blues over Manchester United should both clubs pursue the Belgian winger.
Given that the youngster has a contract until 2019, he will not cost a particularly large fee and Chelsea and United will have no problem matching Celta’s asking price. Despite this, there have been no concrete rumours of either club’s interest in the winger so it remains to be seen if either of them will actually make a move this summer, despite Bongonda’s wishes.