Brighton flag
Brighton flag
Manchester United’s pre-season preparations are intensifying under the sharp eye of new manager Ruben Amorim, with the club prioritising smart recruitment alongside tactical evolution.
INEOS have already started reshaping the recruitment process behind the scenes, with a clear push for data-driven scouting and swift decision-making replacing the inertia of previous regimes.
Transfer activity around Old Trafford is heating up, but financial constraints have so far prevented any marquee arrivals, despite concrete interest in names like Viktor Gyokeres and Bryan Mbeumo.
CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE CENTREDEVILS WHATSAPP GROUP CHAT NOW!
While first-team reinforcements remain the priority, there’s a growing concern that United could once again miss out on a future superstar due to hesitation in the boardroom.
And now, all eyes are on a Greek teenager who could soon become the latest entry in the club’s long list of “what could have been.”
Manchester United are at risk of losing out on 18-year-old wonderkid Charalampos Kostoulas, with Brighton already making a £34 million bid for the Olympiacos striker, according to The Athletic.
Charalampos Kostoulas, who broke through with a sensational season in Greece, has been on United’s radar for months, but the club’s financial juggling act appears to be costing them the opportunity to compete for his signature.
CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE CENTREDEVILS WHATSAPP GROUP CHAT NOW!
This situation bears an eerie resemblance to the Moises Caicedo saga, where United’s slow negotiations allowed Brighton to swoop in and land the Ecuadorian talent — a decision that continues to haunt the club.
While Kostoulas is not yet ready to lead the line at Old Trafford, the fear is that he’ll develop into a Premier League star elsewhere — most likely under the patient and shrewd guidance of Brighton.
United’s striker search is focused on immediate solutions like Gyokeres and Victor Osimhen, which leaves little budget or space for a long-term gamble.
However, insiders believe INEOS should keep tabs on Brighton’s negotiations and potentially explore a creative offer — such as a lower fee with a loan-back option to Olympiacos — to avoid long-term regret.
If that fails, United risk being in the all-too-familiar position of chasing a £100 million version of Kostoulas in a few years, once his value skyrockets under Brighton’s development model.
It’s a defining moment for INEOS, who must prove they’ve truly moved on from the Glazer era of missed opportunities and reactive recruitment.