Chelsea attempting to hijack United’s move for exceptional Englishman despite formal bid from Red Devils – report

Manchester United are keen to add Sheffield Wednesday’s wonderkid, Yisa Alao, to their ranks. At the start of the year, The Peoples Person relayed a report that INEOS had tabled a £450,000 bid for the 17‑year‑old left‑back. Yet, up to now, United have not received the green light from the Championship side to close the deal. While they wait for a response, the move faces the threat of a hijack. Initially, it was suggested that Liverpool might attempt to hijack United’s raid on the Owls for their prized youngster. However, on Merseyside, there has been no concrete move to follow through. Chelsea threaten United’s Alao swoop Instead, according to The Daily Mail, Chelsea now pose the most serious danger to the Red Devils’ pursuit of the teen sensation. “Chelsea have stepped into the race for highly‑rated Sheffield Wednesday left back Yisa Alao,” the UK outlet reports. “Manchester United and Liverpool had both made offers for the 17‑year‑old who has already broken into the first team and has been offered his first professional contract.” “United had offered around £400,000 with substantial add‑ons and were considered favourites, but Chelsea are willing to offer more to crisis club Wednesday, who are struggling to stay in the Championship following their points deduction.” United’s dilemma Whether this development forces United to improve their offer and thwart Chelsea’s hijack attempt remains to be seen. Given INEOS’s determination to secure some of the finest young talent and build a super team for the future, they are unlikely to back down easily. If Alao is captured, he would join Chido Obi, Diego Leon, Ayden Heaven, and Cristian Orozco, further evidence of United’s revamped transfer policy focused on recruiting elite prospects. The Amass factor As United chase the Wednesday prodigy, another subplot could influence negotiations: the future of Harry Amass. The left‑back spent the first half of the season on loan at Hillsborough, impressing despite the club’s struggles. Recalled at the start of the year, his next destination for the remainder of the 2025‑26 campaign is yet to be decided. Perhaps sending Amass back to Wednesday would tilt the balance in United’s favour in this three‑horse Premier League race for Alao. Featured image Alex Livesey via Getty Images The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social Daniel Onguko Dan is a writer with The Peoples Person, an avid Manchester United fan whose passion for the Red Devils evolved into writing about them. He was introduced to United back in 2008, and his love for the club has continued to grow ever since. Like every other United fan, he believes the club will soon return to its rightful place and strives to reflect that belief in his writing. While he has also written about other Premier League sides, including Arsenal for Just Arsenal and The Arsenal Analysis Blogspot, Dan lives and breathes Manchester United.