PORT OF CALL Man Utd chief Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s bid to find the next Kylian Mbappe takes him to League One Port Vale
The club are also looking at bringing in a new scout
Posted Sunday, March 31, 2024 by Thesun.co.uk
MANCHESTER UNITED are leading the chase for Port Vale’s highly rated England youth striker Baylee Dipepa.
United’s new supremo Sir Jim Ratcliffe is looking to land young talent as he seeks to unveil the next Kylian Mbappe, rather than try to buy ready-made superstars.
Dipepa has been in impressive form for Port Vale's youth team Credit: Getty
Dipepa, 17, scored in both his Euro qualifier appearances for England Under-17s this month — and Old Trafford are keen to do business soon.
The athletic young target man came on to notch two goals in the first match against Northern Ireland and then grabbed the opener against Hungary as his reputation grows.
Vale boss Darren Moore has already given Dipepa a run in the first team at League One level and he has netted at that standard too.
United’s scouts have been told that they have to be at the front of the queue for domestic talent — and Dipepa could be the first of these.
The Red Devils have brought through young forwards from their ranks before but the assembly line is currently not working so well.
Only striker Joe Hugill, 20, has emerged in the past couple of years and he has been farmed out to Burton Albion for game time.
Meanwhile, United will have to wait until after the next transfer window to bring back top scout Sam Williams from Ipswich.
Williams has been on a six-month gardening leave spell after quitting his senior post with the Tractor Boys.
Unless Old Trafford chiefs pay compensation, their new ‘emerging talent spotter’ will not be able to help until September.
It is a further hold-up in the Ratcliffe revolution as he waits on an agreement to land overlord Dan Ashworth from Newcastle.
Ashworth does not have a specified fee or gardening leave period in his deal with the Toon and the clubs are far away from a deal.
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