Manchester United are reportedly set to battle Arsenal for Rodrigo Mora with the Premier League rivals leading the race for the 17-year-old Porto starlet.
Caught Offside reveal United scouts have been “monitoring” Mora’s performances this season with the attacking midfielder scoring twice and providing three assists in just 12 games for the Portuguese giant.
Growing Interest from Europe’s Elite
A report relayed by The Peoples Person last month confirmed the Red Devils were “keeping close tabs” on the 17-year-old with the youngster’s breakthrough at the Estádio do Dragão described as “superb”.
A host of clubs across Europe, including Aston Villa, Real Madrid, and Paris-Saint Germain, put on red-alert by his impressive performances. But the report states United and Arsenal are “showing the strongest interest” in signing Mora with the midfielder’s contract containing a £55 million release clause.
However, this figure is set to increase to “something closer to £70 million” over the next eighteen months, suggesting this summer is the perfect time to strike to secure a deal for the Portuguese wonderkid before it becomes even more expensive.
United Scouts are Convinced
Mora is “highly-regarded” by the recruitment team at Old Trafford with sources at the club revealing there is an expectation the 17-year-old will become a “leading player in world football”, such is his talent and scope for improvement.
Comfortable in any attacking role, be it from the number ten position or deployed on the wing, Mora is a player with strong technical and tactical qualities.
The youngster is described as an “intelligent player with excellent technical ability [who] influences the game from all over the pitch” by a youth football expert.
Ruben Amorim’s 3-4-3 system utilises two attacking midfielders in the forward line, deployed behind a number nine. These players must combine creativity and technical skill in between the lines, with the ability to dribble and stretch the defence on the outside.
Mora’s skillset applies perfectly to these demands with the Porto starlet also possessing a clear nose for goal – another key attribute for a number ten in Amorim’s set-up.
INEOS have demonstrated a clear directive to target young talent in their first year at the helm at Old Trafford as United’s new leaders look to overhaul an overpaid and under-performing first-team squad.
The captures of Leny Yoro, Chido Obi, Ayden Heaven, and Diego Leon, among many other youngsters, evidence this new approach; and the 17-year-old Mora, who has already produced excellent displays at a senior level in the exact position Amorim prioritises, would fit perfectly in line with it.
Featured image Octavio Passos via Getty Images
Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social
Darragh Fox
Darragh is a writer for The Peoples Person who spent three years as a history graduate slowly realising football was by far the most interesting thing to write about.
