Earlier this year, RMC Sport in France reported that Manchester United were interested in Éric Junior Dina-Ebimbe, contracted to Paris Saint-Germain but currently on loan with Le Havre in Ligue 2.
The versatile midfielder, who can play either down the right, through the middle or a bit further up as a number 10, has enjoyed a lot of first-team action under Paul Le Guen, which reportedly caught the eye of Old Trafford scouts.
That’s ideal, really, for the youngster, who idolises a certain Paul Pogba, as he told Foot Mercato in an interview on Monday evening.
He said: “I look at him as an example, whether it’s his way of driving up the field, his vision, his way of defending using his anticipation… Physically too, especially in the air. He’s basically complete. He’s got class when he plays. He’s very good to watch!”
Now 19, Dina-Ebimbe just wants to play football, which is what he’s prioritising at this point in his career, so even if that means staying out on loan, that’s what he’ll happily do, regardless of where it is.
The midfielder explained he’d ideally work his way up the ranks in the world of football by going through Ligue 1, but if he can’t get that, he’d be open to a move abroad, because ‘the language isn’t a barrier’ for him.
It’s at this point that Foot Mercato bring up Manchester United’s alleged interest in his services.
He replied: “I haven’t really had real discussions with my parents regarding that. I saw there was interest, but I think it’s more talks between the two clubs. I haven’t taken part in that yet.”
It seems there really might be something there, and with Manchester United now prioritising the recruitment of young players (like the €10m or so they spent on Hannibal Mejbri, for example), perhaps we’ll see a push to get Dina-Ebimbe too in the near future.
