AS Monaco’s latest young sensation Benoit Badiashile reportedly remains a target for Premier League giants Manchester United.
According to French publication Foot Mercato, Manchester United are still admirers of Benoit Badiashile and the affection has in fact, grown after the youngster’s brilliant start to his senior career at AS Monaco. Barcelona are also one of the clubs that were previously linked with interest in the young defender.
Benoit Badiashile is perhaps, the only bright light in what has otherwise been a dull campaign for AS Monaco. The 2018-19 season has seen the giants fall well below anyone’s lowest perceptions, with the club now embroiled in a relegation battle in Ligue 1. A torrid season that has also seen their club legend Thierry Henry fail to improve their fortunes is something no one had envisaged a year ago.
The 17-year-old was the beneficiary of a lack of quality options in central defence, with the defender notching up a total of 16 senior appearances for AS Monaco. What is more important than the number of appearances is his performance in each one of them, which has seen Manchester United and Barcelona become interested in the young defender.
Manchester United have amped up their youth recruitment over the past couple of years and the lavish spending on improving their scouting network and youth squads is starting to pay off, with several of the brought-in players looking close to first-team material.
Badiashile though, could be a prospect that can be deemed first-team ready in this instance. In fact, the 17-year-old has been on Manchester United’s radar for over a year, with the club even credited with submitting a bid to AS Monaco for the young defender.
All this though, was before Badiashile became a senior player at Monaco. Having received the opportunity to contest for a spot in the first-team setup, it is unlikely that the youngster will look to join any other club if they fail to ensure a similar status for the 17-year-old.
Benoit Badiashile has an elder brother, Loic Badiashile, who is also at AS Monaco and has made his senior debut for the club. Thus, any future deals might have a better chance of happening should Manchester United attempt to bring in both to England. For now, the Red Devils will lurk in the shadows.
