Bayern Munich and other top clubs are eying a swoop for ex-Manchester United prodigy Mipo Odubeko, who has rejected a contract extension at Old Trafford.
According to The Sun, a host of top clubs across Europe, including Bayern Munich are eyeing a move for Mipo Odubeko. The former Manchester United youth player recently rejected the opportunity to prolong his stay at Old Trafford by snubbing a contract extension offer from the club.
As a result, Bayern, along with Feyenoord and Genoa, are interested in securing the services of Odubeko, who is now a free agent after seeing out his contract at Manchester United. The 16-year-old striker was one of United’s most promising young prospects, and a move to a big European club this summer is almost guaranteed as the youngster looks to continue his progress next season.
Odubeko initially started his career at St. Joseph’s Boys Club in Dublin before moving to the Manchester United side. He most notably scored as many as 35 goals for United’s academy last season and was also involved in two matches for the Under-18 side, which is quite impressive for a 16-year-old.
His departure, nonetheless, will be a huge blow to the Manchester United academy that has produced a lot of first-team players in recent years. As for Odubeko, himself, leaving Old Trafford may not have been the most logical decision as manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is stressing on the importance of homegrown talents now more than ever, having already roped in Daniel James and Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
The Norwegian coach has also given chances to a host of academy players and will continue to do so throughout his tenure. Odubeko, to that end, could have potentially had the opportunity of becoming a prominent part of Manchester United’s Under-18 side next season.
But having left Old Trafford, the striker will now have to choose his preferred destination, with Bayern Munich being the pick of the clubs interested. However, the Bavarians haven’t had a reputation of producing homegrown talents and integrating them to the first team ever since the arrival of Pep Guardiola, and it’s unlikely they will be able to nurture him properly at Allianz Arena.
Genoa and Feyenoord are the other options, among which, the latter could be an attractive choice given their proficiency in nurturing talents. But alternatively, Odubeko could remain in the United Kingdom, with Newcastle United and Burnley both interested.
Burnley would perhaps be a better option given their lack of star power but Newcastle, too, have focused on their youth academy in recent weeks, notably overseeing the rapid growth of Manchester United target Sean Longstaff during the second half of the last season.
