Manchester United are among several clubs keeping tabs on the development of exciting young Athletic Bilbao midfielder Peio Canales.
The Red Devils have shown signs of switching their focus on recruiting young, dynamic and hungry talents with potential under co-owners INEOS, who invested heavily in the past summer transfer window to reshape Erik ten Hag’s squad. Players such as Joshua Zirkzee, Leny Yoro, Matthijs de Ligt, Noussair Mazraoui, Manuel Ugarte and Sekou Kone arrived at Old Trafford over the transfer window.
However, Erik ten Hag appears to be under serious pressure so early into the new season having lost two out of three Premier League games. Yet, that hasn’t stopped Manchester United from focusing on their future transfer plans, with Athletic Bilbao starlet Peio Canales reportedly emerging as a target.
Canales, 19, is regarded very highly within the club and is viewed as the next big thing coming through the youth ranks. Athletic Bilbao have developed a conveyor belt of talent rising through the academy and making it big with the first-team, with Spanish star Nico Williams the latest example.
The teenager appears to be the next breakout star for the Basque club. He currently plies his trade for the Athletic Club’s B team and has made three appearances thus far. Canales is viewed as within the club as the natural heir to club legend and former skipper Iker Munian, who departed San Mames in June after the expiry of his contract.
Peio Canales would be a superb future investment for the Red Devils
Man United are continuously scouting and trying to find out hidden gems across the globe to try and enhance their pool of young talents. They have seemingly found one in Sekou Kone, who starred for Mali in the Under-17 World Cup last year. The teenage prodigy moved to Old Trafford from Guidars FC earlier this summer as the Red Devils fought off interest from many European clubs.
Preparations for the next transfer window have supposedly begun, and the 20-time English champions are planning to revamp their midfield unit further. Christian Eriksen’s contract expires next summer while Casemiro is past his prime and has been shocking for Man United since the start of last season.
In addition, Bruno Fernandes recently turned 30, and even though he signed a new contract last month, the club are looking to find a long-term successor for the Portugal international. Peio Canales has emerged as a target, and as he is on a youth contract at Bilbao, Man United could lure him to Old Trafford for a cheap fee.
For now, the Mancunian giants are expected to continue monitoring the Spanish youth international’s progress in Bilbao colours.
I am Rohan Sengupta from one of the busiest cities in India, Mumbai. A Journalism graduate with a keen interest in sports, football is something I simply cannot live without and writing, discussing and analyzing the game is what I do 24*7.
