FACT FROM OLD TRAFFORD As Fabrizio Romano confirmed its now a Done Deal after United miss OUT in EZE pursuit but seal permanent transfer of…….
Manchester United has reportedly reached an agreement to sign Crystal Palace’s young talent Samuel Lusale, who declined a scholarship offer from the Eagles, according to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano.
Since INEOS’s takeover at Old Trafford, Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his team have demonstrated a clear strategy of acquiring young, global talent. Following the signings of Leny Yoro and Joshua Zirkzee, the club is now targeting promising players from Premier League academies.
Romano reports that United has secured deals for both Lusale from Crystal Palace and Chido Obi Martin, who recently left Arsenal as a free agent. Lusale, a 16-year-old winger who joined Palace at the same age, is represented by Roc Nation, an agency founded by rapper Jay-Z. Despite not yet featuring in Palace’s senior squad, Lusale has caught United’s attention.
This move aligns with INEOS’s broader strategy at United. The Manchester Evening News reports that the club has also identified Silva Mexes, James Overy, and Camron Mpofu from various academies worldwide.
By targeting young talents at modest fees, United aims to achieve greater financial stability in the long term. This approach allows them to either develop players for their first team at a low cost or potentially sell them for significant profits later. It marks a departure from the Glazers’ era, which often saw the acquisition of high-wage, late-career players like Raphael Varane and Casemiro with limited resale value.
Romano also confirmed that United has secured Chido Obi Martin’s signature. The young attacker chose United over higher offers from Germany, believing in the club’s developmental pathway. This acquisition of a prolific youth-level goalscorer is seen as a coup for United and a loss for Arsenal.
This new recruitment strategy under INEOS ownership appears to focus on building for the future while maintaining financial prudence, a significant shift from United’s recent past.