Manchester United will reportedly battle with the likes of Chelsea and Newcastle United for Derby County wonderkid Cruz Allen.
The January transfer window is inching closer for Premier League sides, with another record-breaking year in spending likely on the table after an outrageous summer a few months back.
And United, Chelsea and Newcastle now have their sights set on Derby’s 16-year-old prospect Allen, who according to the Sun is now a target for the Premier League trio.
A Welsh youth international already, Cruz is regarded as one of the most exciting prospects in the EFL, though the midfielder is yet to make his senior debut with the Rams.
Three goals and three assists in the U-18 Premier League has been a welcome return for the youngster, though, and Erik Ten Hag, Eddie Howe and Mauricio Pochettino are now taking note of Allen.
Indeed, Premier League clubs have taken a more serious interest in youngsters breaking through at EFL academies in recent years due to Brexit, and Allen could be next to make a move to one of England’s elite.
Cruz Allen will soon have a serious decision to make between Chelsea, Manchester United and Newcastle
Interest from three of the biggest clubs in the Premier League is always flattering, and Allen will soon have a huge decision to make if the English trio all soon come calling.
Each club has their own strengths and weaknesses and Chelsea, Newcastle and United will all likely have different development plans in mind for Allen if he was to make the move in January.
Indeed, based off what has happened in the last 12 months, Newcastle could be the more appealing club for Allen with Howe keen to develop British talents and integrate them into the Toon senior squad.
On the other side of the coin, United could be the worst team for Allen as Ten Hag continues to stumble with the Old Trafford side, who off the pitch remain in absolute turmoil.