Manchester United are tracking Boca Juniors’ latest sensation Tomas Aranda. Here is all you need to know.
Tomas Aranda is the latest top youngster to emerge at Boca Juniors, and Manchester United are paying attention.
Argentine outlet El Intransigente report that United have been alerted to Aranda’s impressive recent performances, along with his character and playing style.
Boca are on ‘high alert’ that United will try to make a move this summer, along with Chelsea, and are desperate to hold onto the youngster.
Tomas Aranda: Key facts
Date of birth: 9/5/2007 (18)
Position: Attacking Midfield
Nationality: Argentina
Contract: Expires December 2029
Boca Juniors v Instituto - Torneo Apertura 2026
Photo by Marcelo Endelli/Getty Images
Tomas Aranda: The story so far
Tomas Aranda made his Boca Juniors debut in January and has gone on to make 11 first team appearances so far.
Aranda scored his first goal on March 23, netting the opener in a 2-0 league win over Instituto.
This led to a call-up to Argentina’s under-20 team, and during the recent international break he got a chance to train with the first team squad, similar to Ayden Heaven’s call with England.
Aranda told Marca he was amazed to get the chance to train alongside Lionel Messi, commenting: “He makes the difficult look easy. Later, I’d replay the plays in my head and say, ‘How does he do that?'”
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What has been said about Tomas Aranda
El Intransigente describe Aranda’s qualities: “He possesses tremendous speed… He’s daring and plays like he has over 50 first-division appearances under his belt.”
Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni told reporters after the training sessions that he believes Aranda is a player he will monitor for the future.
“We have to give him time, but he has drive and confidence; he’s a talent who stands out in one-on-one situations.”
He also caught the eye of Carlos Tevez, manager of Talleres. After Aranda set up a winner against his side the former Manchester United player told 442: “He seems like he’s been playing in the first division for ten years.”
After the same game Boca boss Claudio Ubeda told La Nacion: “I don’t want to talk too much about him to protect him.
“We all have to take care of him because he’s a young guy with significant potential, who has great skill, works incredibly hard defensively when we don’t have the ball, is intelligent in his positioning, and has a hunger to win.”
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Opinion: United should try for Aranda loan back
Tomas Aranda is clearly an exciting young talent, and while he has played less than a dozen first team matches, he has made a big impression already.
He plays in an attacking midfield role where Manchester United are not desperate to make new additions this summer.
Long-term, United will need to find a successor for Bruno Fernandes, but the priority this upcoming transfer window would be to find central midfielders.
The best possible solution here would be for United to sign Aranda and loan him back to Boca Juniors for another 12 months.
This would allow Aranda to keep on developing and playing regular football, rather than only being a bit-part player for United next season.
A move for Aranda only works if it is at the right price, United won’t want to overspend on potential. A deal with a loan back clause could suit all parties.
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