A few months ago, we covered a story in La Provence that Manchester United were keeping an eye on Isaac Lihadji, a 17-year-old forward currently under youth contract at Marseille.
The news came a few weeks after it was announced the Red Devils had signed Noam Emeran from Amiens, suggesting the Premier League club were bolstering their academy with great talent.
Lihadji’s contract with the French club is due to expire in 2020, meaning there’s just over a year left on it, yet Marseille still haven’t opened talks towards a first professional deal.
Of course, there are more important things to focus on in the south of France these days, like rebuilding the mess left by Rudi Garcia, but these delays, if they continue, could benefit Manchester United.
The same La Provence on Thursday explain Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s team are one of a few ‘ready to acquire his services’, alongside Barcelona, Juventus and both Milans.
Lihadji, as things stand, wouldn’t be against a stay in Marseille (he was born in the city), and a lot more will be known in the next couple of weeks as the winger is expected to train with the first-team when everyone returns on July 1st, with André Villas-Boas wanting to take a closer look at some members of the academy, which includes the 17-year-old.
If no talks towards a new contract take place once the season starts, then those clubs circling around him could become very enticing indeed.
