Manchester United’s scouting network has been hard at work over the past year and has been particularly active in South America.
In January a deal was announced for promising Paraguayan left-back Diego Leon, who finally joined up with the club in July.
And the Red Devils are on the verge of tying down another young talent from that continent, with 17-year-old Colombian midfielder Cristian Orozco seemingly set for an Old Trafford move.
Fresh Orozco details
According to transfer expert Graeme Bailey, United won a fierce race for the player, with Premier League rivals Manchester City, Newcastle United and Brighton and Hove Albion also in the running.
There was also strong interest from Atletico Madrid and RB Leipzig but United were, for once, decisive in the market.
Bailey said: “United are working hard in the Americas and Africa at the moment, they really are the places you can pick up some amazing young talent at source.
“Look at Orozco. United have done that before his likely appearance in the World Cup in Qatar later this year, but they have got him for less than £1 million.
“That is nothing for any English club and he could be a superstar, and even if not – they are probably not going to lose money on the deal.
“This is an area that INEOS and Jason Wilcox are paying real close attention to at the moment.”
Kevin Angulo interest
According to Bailey, United’s scouts are not finished in Columbia where Orozco’s international teammate is now under consideration.
The Red Devils reportedly hold an interest in 17-year-old striker Kevin Angulo, who made his debut for America de Cali last year.
Angulo scored for Columbia U17s in a friendly earlier this year and provided an assist in their 5-1 win over Venezuela in the U17 South American Championship semi-final.
The youngster’s current team have the nickname Los Diablos Rojas, which translates to the Red Devils.
Featured image Alex Livesey via Getty Images
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Joe Ponting
Joe has spent more than half his life writing about football and all of it following United. As a child he told a doctor his name was ‘Paul Scholes’, but could never pick a pass like him no matter how much he tried.
