Manchester United reportedly sent scouts to watch 19-year-old Turkish defensive prospect Yusuf Akcicek in the UEFA Europa League game between Fenerbahce and Rangers.
According to an update by reputed Turkish journalist Yagiz Sabuncuoglu, Yusuf Akcicek is the subject of interest from Manchester United. The Red Devils are scouring the market for a centre-back heading into the summer transfer window and have set their sights on the Fenerbahce prospect. They sent their scouts to watch him during the UEFA Europa League game between Fenerbahce and Rangers on Thursday.
Who is Yusuf Akcicek?
Yusuf Akcicek is the latest highly-rated prospect to rise in prominence in his homeland. A native of Istanbul, the Turk spent his formative years in his homeland, starting his youth career at Galatasaray before joining Fenerbahce in 2019 and graduating from the club’s academy.
The 19-year-old progressed through the ranks at Fenerbahce before breaking into the first-team squad at the Ulker Stadium Fenerbahce Sukru Saracoglu Sports Complex in the first half of the 2023/24 season. Since then, the youngster has made gradual progress in the senior setup at the Super Lig club, although he has been a regular in the UEFA Europa League this season.
The Turkish defensive prospect has turned out 19 times thus far for Fenerbahce while chipping in with two goals and one assist. Meanwhile, Akcicek’s progress has not gone unnoticed, capturing the attention of several well-known clubs across Europe. Manchester United might be one of the prospective suitors vying for his signature in the summer transfer window.
Premier League adventure on the horizon?
Manchester United’s interest in Yusuf Akcicek is understandable. The Red Devils are scouring the market for a centre-back heading into the summer transfer window as they prepare to lose Victor Lindelof as a free agent. In addition, Jonny Evans’s future is uncertain, while Harry Maguire is on the wrong side of 30. Evans’s departure will leave Manchester United with only one left-footed centre-back.
So, Manchester United can do with a new centre-back in the summer transfer window, with several candidates, including Nayef Aguerd, emerged as targets. However, Akcicek is also an option worth considering, with Manchester United dispatching scouts to watch the young Turk this week.
Manchester United sent the scouts to monitor him during the UEFA Europa League game between Fenerbahce and Rangers. However, they might not have returned with a convincing report, with Jose Mourinho replacing the 19-year-old Turkish whizkid at half-time. So, it will be interesting to see if the youngster becomes a top target for Manchester United in the coming months.