Manchester United may not be done targeting young strikers for the future. The Red Devils have been identified as one of many suitors from the Premier League keen on Wolverhampton Wanderers teenage attacker Niall Ennis.
Apparently, United will offer Championship side Wolves £1 million to secure the 16-year-old's signature, according to ESPN FC. The report notes how the potential Ennis deal would be part of an effort to prioritise giving chances to quality youngsters: "United are determined to bring the best young talent to Old Trafford to try to develop them into first-team players of the future."
It's an interesting mooted shift in transfer policy from the Reds. In fact, it's a strategy former players have been calling on the club to adopt in the market.
Recently, ex-United centre-back and now-BT Sport pundit Rio Ferdinand was critical of United's recent heavy spending, according to Rob Draper of the Mail on Sunday. Ferdinand was echoing similar sentiments to those expressed by former Red Devils right-back-turned Sky Sports analyst Gary Neville.
He suggested United have been ignoring long-held traditions such as developing youth, in an article for the Daily Telegraph.
Yet despite Ferdinand and Neville's misgivings, United are still prepared to give young talent its chance. The club is just also willing to pay a premium for gifted youngsters.
The summer transfer swoop for 19-year-old French striker Anthony Martial is a prime example. Despite his inexperience, Martial cost the Old Trafford club anywhere from £36 million to £58.8 million, as noted by Jamie Jackson of the Guardian.
As much as Martial has been signed with one eye on the future, his price tag demands he also delivers now. Any deal for Ennis would produce different expectations.
Before then, though, United would have to beat Chelsea and Manchester City to the signing. ESPN FC's Peter O' Rourke has reported both the Stamford Bridge club and United's neighbours have been keeping tabs on Ennis.
Those concerned about the philosophies underpinning today's United would likely welcome the Reds winning this proposed transfer scrap.
Kamil Glik to Sign New Contract With Torino
Despite mooted interest from United and some of Europe's other big clubs, Kamil Glik appears content to stay with Torino. The Polish centre-back is ready to sign a new contract with the Serie A outfit, according to Italian source Tuttosport (h/t talkSPORT.co.uk).
Torino will reportedly double Glik's current wages. His agreement and subsequent signature is expected as soon as "the end of the week." The same report states "United were heavily linked with the 27-year-old and it was rumoured they may make a move for him this January."
Indeed, back in mid-May, Tuttosport.com (h/t Metro's George Bellshaw) claimed United were leading the race for Glik. By early July, Tuttosport (h/t James Cambridge of the Daily Express) named Bundesliga kingpin Bayern Munich as another interested party in the prolific defender.
United could certainly use a refresh at the heart of defence. Chris Smalling has matured into a more dependable performer, but next to him, things are far from stable.
Marcos Rojo and Phil Jones have had injury issues. Meanwhile, Daley Blind lacks ideal physical strength, even if his comfort on the ball is a plus in Van Gaal's possession-based game.
United have already raided Torino's ranks for one defender, right-back Matteo Darmian. But Van Gaal will have to turn his attention away from Glik if he's still searching for reinforcements at the back.
If United do add a defender, many will expect Van Gaal to unearth a young gem or two for the future, the way he has for the team's attack.
via http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2567357-manchester-united-transfer-news-latest-niall-ennis-and-kamil-glik-rumours
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