Manchester United are reportedly weighing up a move for 16-year-old Norwegian wonderkid Sverre Nypan.
The 2006-born midfielder has already been integrated into the senior setup for boyhood club Rosenborg and has made three appearances in the current Eliteserien campaign.
In his first top-flight start for Rosenborg, Nypan found the back of the net in a 3-2 defeat to Bodo/Glimt before setting up the winner in a 1-0 triumph over Haugesund on Tuesday.
In addition, the teenager wears the captain's armband for Norway's Under-17 team and provided two assists in a 4-0 European Championship qualifying win over Belarus in October.
Nypan has also been deployed in a variety of roles during the embryonic stages of his career, starting in the number nine role for Rosenborg but featuring as a central midfielder and right-winger for Norway's youth teams.
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Back in December, Rosenborg agreed a professional contract with Nypan until the end of the 2024-25 season, but clubs across Europe are unsurprisingly beginning to take notice.
According to The Sun, Man United are desperate to win the race for the 16-year-old's signature, having been keeping tabs on his progress since his first-team inauguration.
The Red Devils apparently had scouts in attendance to keep an eye on Nypan during March's international break, where he featured for Norway in Euros qualifiers against Croatia and Slovenia, captaining his side in the latter match.
Nypan has allegedly been labelled the 'next Frenkie de Jong' due to his composure under pressure, but Man United will not enjoy a clear run at the teenager's signature.
The report adds that clubs in Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium have all been alerted to Nypan's rise in the wake of his goal against Bodo/Glimt, and such teams may be able to offer him a quicker route into the first team than Man United.
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The Red Devils are expected to be in the market for midfield acquisitions this summer, despite adding Casemiro and Christian Eriksen to the ranks ahead of the 2022-23 season.
Scott McTominay could be on the way out of Old Trafford after falling down the pecking order under Erik ten Hag, but a new striker is expected to take precedence over engine room additions.
Burnley loanee Wout Weghorst and the injury-plagued Anthony Martial could both depart ahead of the 2023-24 season, as the Red Devils continue to be linked with big names such as Goncalo Ramos, Harry Kane and Victor Osimhen.
A new goalkeeper and right-back could also be on the transfer wishlist for the Red Devils, who sit fourth in the Premier League table ahead of Saturday's trip to Bournemouth.
Ben Knapton
