Barcelona are reportedly being rivalled by Manchester United in the race to sign 17-year-old midfield prodigy Kacper Kozlowski this summer.
According to a report by Italian publication Gazzetta dello Sport, as relayed by Sport Witness, Barcelona are no longer the only big-name suitors for Kacper Kozlowski in the summer transfer window. Manchester United are showing an interest in the 17-year-old midfield prodigy as well, with Borussia Dortmund leading the race to sign him.
Kacper Kozlowski is widely regarded as the next great prospect to have emerged in Poland, having broken into the Pogon Szczecin well before turning 18. His stock has only risen since making his debut for the Polish national side this year, with the 17-year-old becoming the the youngest player of any nationality to play at a European Championship, aged 17 years and 246 days when he took the field against Spain.
With his star skyrocketing, it is hardly a wonder that the who’s who of European football are hot on the trails of the teenage midfield prodigy. Two of his suitors are famous for nurturing the brightest of prospects in youth football, with Barcelona and Manchester United keen on signing him.
The interest from Barcelona is hardly surprising, seeing as Joan Laporta is intent to take La Masia back to its pomp following his election as the club’s new president. This has been noticeable in the 2020/21 season as well, with Ilaix Moriba the latest prospect to have broken into the first-team setup.
In recent times, Barcelona have been linked with several bright prospects from outside the club as well, with Yuri Alberto among the whizkids on their radar. As for Manchester United, they are always on the lookout for the best young players on offer in England and beyond.
To that end, the Red Devils have been linked with Liam Gibbs, Ethan Ennis and several others. And Kozlowski is the latest player to have popped up as a potential target for Manchester United. However, both Barcelona and Manchester United will have their task cut out to land the 17-year-old, as will other suitors like Juventus and Cagliari.
That is because as per Gazzetta dello Sport (h/t Sport Witness), Borussia Dortmund are leading the race to sign Kozlowski ‘thanks to the network of observers in Poland, who, at the time, found a certain Robert Lewandowski’. The German giants have a reputation of being a fine breeding ground for young prodigies and so Barcelona and Manchester United might have an uphill battle to land the teenager.
