Manchester United have made a few additions to their scouting department over the past year, with one of them being Belgian scout Roland Janssen, who worked at KRC Genk previously.
Genk stars Leon Bailey and Wilfred Ndidi have been linked with a move to the Premier League in recent weeks, and the link to Manchester United was therefore natural.
In mid November, Belgian newspaper Het Belang van Limburg covered Manchester United interest in Bailey, which they built up from the English media, and speculated about a €17.5m offer. At the time it was explained an offer would need to be more like €20m.
Janssen has been speaking to Belgian magazine Fan (via Voetbal Nieuws), and has confirmed there is interest in both the players.
He said: “For Leon Bailey and Wilfred Ndidi, yes. The interest is concrete, I don’t know. Ndidi has the perfect profile for the Bundesliga or the Premier League.”
To be sure, Voetbal Nieuws headline their article with a Janssen quote: “I came to scout them for Manchester United.”
Ndidi’s representative Ronnie Rosenthal has also confirmed he is already in contact with clubs over the possibility of a transfer.
He said: “At the moment I am in contact with clubs that are specifically interested in him. Genk has put a price tag of €20m for him. He has the qualities to justify that price.”
However, reports in the Belgian media suggest Ndidi is close to signing for Leicester City, which looks a likelier destination for the midfielder.
Ndidi leaving in January would surely make a Bailey winter exit less likely, and a summer move may well suit the latter better anyway. He’s not sounded in a hurry to leave during interviews and has made it clear he doesn’t want to go somewhere and be a permanent substitute.
