United are favourites to sign versatile Ajax ace who can play in midfield and defence – report

Ajax starlet Jorthy Mokio’s impressive rise at the Johan Cruyff Arena has caught Manchester United’s attention. The Red Devils are keeping a close eye on talented young footballers with the potential to become world-class stars. The Premier League giants’ transfer strategy has already paid dividends, with Leny Yoro, who was signed from Lille in the summer of 2024, now a first-team regular. United have similarly invested in the likes of Ayden Heaven, Diego Leon and Sekou Kone as they look to rejuvenate their squad’s backbone with a shot of youth. INEOS is likely to stick to their plan in the upcoming transfer windows as well, and a recent report relayed by The Peoples Person states that they have identified Mokio as a target. The latest jewel out of Ajax Mokio rose through the ranks at Gent before being picked up by Ajax on a free transfer in 2024. He initially joined the reserves, where he quickly made an impression. Such was his impact that the Belgian earned his first team debut in August, in the Europa League, at the age of 16 years and 182 days. In the process, Mokio became the youngest foreign player to debut for the Dutch club in their history. The 17 year old has continued that rise this season and is now a first team regular for the Eredivisie club. Jorthy Mokio Stats: 2025/26 Season CompetitionAppearancesGoalsAssistsYellow CardsRed CardsMinutes Played Eredivisie8—-270′ UEFA Champions League3–1-212′ Total11–1-482′ Source: TransfermarktMokio’s versatility also makes him an enticing prospect for potential suitors. The Belgian is adept at playing in defence as well as in midfield, having operated in both positions for Ajax this season. Multiple clubs are monitoring the youngster at the moment, including Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur, but it now appears that United have stolen a march on their rivals. United leading race for Mokio According to journalist Marc Brus, United are favourites to sign Mokio, who is reportedly ready to leave Ajax. The player’s contract at the Johan Cruyff Arena expires in 2027, and previous reports have suggested that he could be available for around €25-30 million. A well-connected source told the journalist: “Manchester United are leading the chase for Jorthy Mokio. They are already working on a project that could offer Mokio guaranteed minutes and a clear development path.” The report adds that Chelsea and Liverpool were also interested in Mokio, but are no longer actively pursuing the player. That leaves the door open for the Red Devils to take advantage. Final Thoughts United have signed quite a few players from Ajax in recent years, and the cordial relationship between the two clubs could help facilitate a move for Mokio. With the midfield still a weak link in the squad, the proposed move for the Belgian could be a step in the right direction for the Premier League giants. It could even prove to be a masterstroke in a few years. Featured image Alex Bierens de Haan 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 Deepungsu Pandit Deepungsu has been a Manchester United fan since 2000. In his playing days, he was an attacking midfielder with a proclivity for the back heel. Right now, however, he prefers to operate as a regista. Deepungsu has been writing about the Red Devils, Football, and other things since 2009. He has worked for over seven years with Sportskeeda, writing football reviews, opinions and news articles. Deepungsu also maintains a blog, The Thinking Me, where he writes about life and things that interest him. His favourite Manchester United player is Paul Scholes.