Manchester United are close to signing winger Samuel Lusale from Crystal Palace after an impressive 2023/24 for the youngster.
Lusale, 16, played in Slovakia’s three group games at the Under-17 European Championship in May and was in Palace’s FA Youth Cup squad last season.
The teenager joined Palace at the age of 13 and is already represented by Roc Nation, the talent agency founded by rapper Jay-Z.
On Roc Nation’s website, Lusale is described as “a quick, dynamic winger who is regarded as one of the most exciting attacking players in the UK at under-16 level.
Samuel Malama Lusale poses for a portrait during a Slovakia squad portrait session at the UEFA European Under-17 Championship 2023/2024 (Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach – Sportsfile/UEFA via Getty Images)
“Comfortable playing off the right or left wing, his electrifying pace and direct running with the ball makes him a constant threat to the opposition defence. He is often the source of goals and assists for his team.”
United are now set to add him to their academy as the rebuilding process continues at Old Trafford. The Red Devils are also in the process of signing Scotland youth international Camron Mpofu from Reading.
Silva Mexes, the 14-year-old son of former Cardiff and West Brom striker Rob Earnshaw, has already joined the United academy from Ipswich and Australian James Overy, 16, has also arrived.
English clubs’ recruitment at academy level is restricted as Brexit regulations prohibit them from signing players under the age of 18 from overseas clubs.
United bought Alejandro Garnacho, Willy Kambwala, Alvaro Fernandez and Marc Jurado in the final window in 2020 but they have since had to focus on domestic recruits.
