United set up blockbuster transfer battle with Chelsea for 18yo wonderkid, €11m could get the deal done – report

Manchester United are short on defensive numbers following Jonny Evans’ retirement and Victor Lindelof’s departure in the summer as a free agent.

Lisandro Martinez is also out injured, and Ruben Amorim is mulling over changing his position as well. Matthijs de Ligt and Luke Shaw do not have the most inspiring injury records.

So a low-cost addition might be on the cards, as evidenced from the recent links to 20-year-old defender Eivind Helland of SK Brann.

He is not the only defensive wonderkid on INEOS’ radar with Polish outlet Onet revealing that Motor Lublin’s 18-year-old defensive prodigy Bright Ede is on the Red Devils’ radar.

Another young defender on United’s radar

The Polish ace made his first-team debut at the age of 17, playing six times last season, while scoring once helping keep one clean-sheet.

As per the report, the left-footed defender has been watched in training by United scouts, and they have been very impressed..

The problem is, domestic rivals Chelsea seem to be ahead of them in the race. In fact, the Blues tried to wrap up a deal for the Poland U18 international before the Club World Cup, but they could not reach an agreement.

That delay has allowed the 20-time English league champions to enter the race, with Motor Lublin looking at raising a Polish record transfer fee from his sale.

They are asking for €11 million, a figure which is more than the club’s entire budget for the season. There is interest from Benfica as well, and Lublin have already prepared for the defender’s departure by signing a replacement.

“In the match against Arka Gdynia, the Motor team took the lead early in the second half thanks to a goal from Mbaye N’Diaye. The 21-year-old Senegalese has long been exceptionally skilled at creating scoring opportunities in the opponents’ penalty area, but is less skilled at getting the ball in and scoring.

“If N’Diaye improves his scoring efficiency this season, Motor will earn millions from him. Probably not as much as Bright Ede, who is attracting interest from major European players.

Chelsea vs United for Bright Ede

“Jakubas is adamant that he wants to break the Ekstraklasa transfer record with his sale – he’s asking for €11 million. If Motor actually made that much money on the 18-year-old, it would mean more than the club’s budget for this season (PLN 36 million).

“Chelsea has long been pursuing the player, though negotiations recently stalled when the London club’s management departed for the United States for the Club World Cup. Perhaps they should have closed the deal earlier, as their league rivals, Manchester United, have entered the fray for the young defender. Their representative observed Ede at Motor’s training camp in Sochocin. Another club courting the young talent is Benfica Lisbon.”

Bright Ede can play as a left wingback as well, and with INEOS always on the lookout for young talent, he certainly fits the bill. But his asking price might require re-negotiating given he only has one year left on his current deal.

The co-owners have already signed Diego Leon this summer, and more could follow. Whether INEOS can beat Chelsea in the race remains to be seen.

Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social