Manchester United are keen to swoop for West Ham’s 15-year-old defender Jamal Baptiste, according to Football Insider.
The starlet has already played twice for the Hammers’ U23 side, as well as registering 17 outings for the U18s.
And it is understood that United have sent scouts to watch the teenager on three separate occasions with view to a potential raid for the centre-back.
Would this be a good move for United?
Fundamentally, Man United’s transfer policy has had to change in recent times.
For too long in the wake of Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement, the solution to any problem they may have had in their squad was to try and bring in a quick fix, big-money acquisition with one eye on instant success.
Evidently, that has not worked, and while there has still been a tendency to spend big in recent times, as shown by the world-record fee paid for Harry Maguire this summer, you get the impression that the focus has shifted somewhat more towards a sustainable transfer policy with an emphasis on nurturing future talents.
The likes of Daniel James and Aaron Wan-Bissaka, although pricey, are prime examples of this, and you would have to say that Baptiste would be taking that blueprint to the nth degree.
He may only be 15, but the fact that he is playing for the U23s should be a pretty strong indication of how high the lad’s potential is.
Described in Football Insider’s report as “one of the best” players of his age in the country – a view seconded by Football.London journalist Sam Inkersole – there is plenty to be excited about here.
When you then consider the fact that West Ham have produced central defenders like Rio Ferdinand, John Terry, Bobby Moore, and in more recent times, Declan Rice, then you can’t help wondering if Baptiste may be the next in that illustrious line of succession.
Only time will tell, and a million things can happen to derail a player’s career, but this could be a great swoop if United can land it.