Manchester United are reported to be paying close attention to Greek “wonderkid” Christos Mouzakitis as the club continues its focus on securing the best youngsters throughout world football.
Charlie Haffenden (Birmingham World) reveals the Red Devils have “sent scouts” to watch the 18-year-old Olympiacos midfielder this season, but will face fierce competition from Premier League rivals to secure Mouzakitis’ signature.
A Strong First Impression
Mouzakitis has enjoyed a stellar debut campaign at senior level, playing 15 times in the Super League Greece, scoring a goal and providing an assist as he’s helped his boyhood team to the top of the table.
Crucially, Olympiacos manager José Luis Mendilibar has also trusted the youngster in the Europa League – a much higher standard of football – with seven appearances and an assist.
The Erythroleyko finished an impressive 7th place in the qualifying league, securing automatic qualification to the round-of-sixteen, with Mouzakitis’ impressive performances a key part of this unlikely feat.
The midfielder has also seen his form recognised by the Greek national side, receiving a call up to the senior side and making his debut off the bench in November in a 2-0 win over Finland.
Interest from England
Haffenden contends United are not the only club in the Premier League who have taken an interest in Mouzakitis.
The report reveals, ” [Aston] Villa and Arsenal have already formally expressed an interest” in signing the midfield starlet, as well as his 17-year-old teammate Charalampos Kostoulas, who United are also said to be monitoring closely.
Similarly, Brentford’s scouts have also been in attendance alongside their Old Trafford counterparts at Olympiacos games this season to analyse both youngsters.
Haffenden relays opinions from Greece which liken Mouzakitis to legendary Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta.
“The 18-year-old, a left-footed central midfielder, has been likened to Andres Iniesta by local supporters as he’s got an outstanding understanding of the game at his tender age. Capable of anything from controlling the tempo of matches to finding defence-splitting passes, Mouzakitis is a huge talent,” the report states.
The Need for Speed
The growing interest in Mouzakitis lends weight to the local reports describing the 18-year-old in such glowing terms.
The fact both Arsenal and Villa have entered into formal talks with Olympiacos over potential moves for the midfielder only strengthens this further.
United’s midfield is in desperate need of a comprehensive overhaul with the pair of Christian Eriksen and Casemiro certain to leave Old Trafford this summer, while Bruno Fernandes and Kobbie Mainoo are awkward fits in Ruben Amorim’s midfield pivot.
It’s likely two midfielders will be signed – an established player and a younger prospect – and Mouzakitis rapid ascension into men’s football, which he has handled with aplomb at each stage, makes him an ideal candidate for the latter.
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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.
