Manchester United closely monitoring Barcelona jewel Mikayil Faye

Manchester United closely monitors Barcelona wonderkid Mikayil Faye ahead of a possible summer transfer move.

Mikayil Fate, 19, joined Barcelona’s B side from Croatian club NK Kustosija last summer, and he has impressed for the reserves with his athleticism, power and physicality. The teenager, who can operate at both left-back and centre-back, made his senior international debut for Senegal against Gabon on Friday night and demonstrated his technical ability with a 30-yard rocket shot into the top corner.

Manchester United scouts were reportedly present in the stands to witness Faye’s left-footed screamer during Senegal’s 3-0 win over Gabon. They have been on the defender’s tail for the past three months, but the Red Devils aren’t the only club interested in his services. Bayer Leverkusen and Inter Milan are also keeping tabs on the highly-rated Barcelona defender.

Barcelona rejected offers from OGC Nice and Lens in January but could be forced to sell Faye for around £25million in the summer due to their crunch financial situation.

Manchester United eyeing move for Mikayil Faye?

Recurrent injury problems have been Manchester United’s plight this season, forcing Erik ten Hag to constantly make alterations at the back which has not helped his team settle and grow. Undoubtedly, the biggest setbacks have been Luke Shaw and Lisandro Martinez’s injuries, and it is clear to see for everyone that Ten Hag’s side have struggled to build out from the back in the duo’s absence.

Concerned with the fitness problems of Shaw and Martinez, the Red Devils are eyeing young, robust options going forward. They could kill two birds with one stone by signing Barcelona B’s reserves defender, Mikayil Faye.

Faye has similarities to Martinez’s playing style but is bigger, stronger and would offer more threat going forward. His versatility to play at left-back and centre-back adds more value, as not only would Faye provide competition for Martinez but also potentially become Shaw’s long-term replacement at left-back.

Under the new regime of Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Man United are likely to focus more on signing young, exciting and dynamic talents with massive potential. The British billionaire and his team are looking to build a project for the future, and Faye would be a shrewd long-term investment. Barcelona would loathe to lose him having spent big for his signature last year, but they ultimately need to sell players to balance their books.

That could be an advantage for Man United, who are in desperate need to bolster their defensive options after this season’s shambles.