IFK Norrkoping youngster Isak Bergmann Johannesson has reportedly revealed Manchester United as his dream, as Liverpool show interest in the midfielder.
The footballing world has seen its fair share of players who were boyhood fans of a club joining their rivals given the opportunity. However, Liverpool would not be too enthusiastic about the report from The Sun, wherein IFK Norrkoping Isak Bergmann Johanneson has professed his love for Manchester United.
The Icelandic youngster has been on the radar of a host of European clubs, with Liverpool one of them. The Reds reportedly scouted the player out in Norrkoping’s 2-2 draw with AIK during the last weekend. However, the Swedish club have also refused to admit a host of scouts from other clubs keen to take a closer look at Johannesson.
In his own words to Expressen, “My dream club is Manchester United, together with IFK Norrkoping. I lived in Manchester when I was a kid, and I watched a lot of games there. It’s great that Liverpool have been watching me. But I’ll just focus on helping Norrkoping get into Europe next season. We’re going to do it together.”
That is true. Johanneson, who is the son of former Premier League star Joey Gudjonsson, who played for Leicester City and Aston Villa, used to live in Manchester during his childhood while his father played for Burnley and Huddersfield.
“You can’t say that I am not going to Liverpool. They play good football – Manchester City and Liverpool have been great. But will I have the chance to move this winter? I’ll concentrate on Norrkoping – we have five games left to get a European place.”
Interestingly, Johannesson has not ruled out a move to either of Manchester United’s rivals. Famous players like John Terry, Aaron Ramsey, Raheem Sterling and John Stones have all been boyhood United fans, only to go on and play for their rivals Manchester City, Chelsea, Liverpool or Arsenal instead.
A player with the potential to become the best Icelandic player ever, 17-year-old @ifknorrkoping brilliant midfielder – Ísak Bergmann Jóhannesson! #talent #scouting ??
⬇️⬇️⬇️https://t.co/M72Lb6EIm1 pic.twitter.com/TCd3MPLpN1
— Football Talent Scout – Jacek Kulig (@FTalentScout) October 26, 2020
Johannesson has been in red hot form for IFK Norrkoping this season, bagging 4 goals in 26 appearances in all domestic competitions combined. The versatile midfielder has been one of the primary catalysts in the club’s rise to second in Allsvenskan 2020. The 17-year-old is also eligible to play for England, despite having played for Iceland at various age groups thus far.
Manchester United were recently crowned as the Premier League club with the most number of academy graduates playing in the top-flight and that combined with Johannesson’s love for the club along with the current atmosphere around Old Trafford does make it seem like the 17-year-old would favour Manchester United over Liverpool.