But Manchester United are warned: The competition has exploded – and Leicester demand two things before they sell.
Manchester United remain confident of signing Leicester City’s 18-year-old midfielder Louis Page, having come close to signing the teenager this summer. “But the Red Devils have been warned that they are facing an increasing battle for one of English football’s most exciting young talents.
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Manchester United came close to securing a deal for Page in the summer. Now, the feeling is growing that the club may regret not getting the transfer done when they had the opportunity – the teenager’s performances this season have attracted a far wider audience of admirers.
Despite increased competition, United remain confident that they can win the battle for Page. However, they now face a far more competitive market for a player who has developed rapidly, and the number of elite clubs following his situation has changed the landscape significantly.
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Leicester demand two things
Leicester are open to selling the 18-year-old in January, but that they are determined that two conditions must be met before approving a sale. The League One club have already received enquiries from interested clubs.
Firstly, Leicester will keep Page on loan for the rest of the season if they approve the departure – an arrangement they see as an important part of any deal.
Second: Leicester are sticking to their valuation and are seeking a package worth close to £15 million in total. A significant portion of this amount can be structured through future payments, where the initial equity is likely to be less than a third of the total fee.
Page is still under contract at the King Power Stadium until 2029, meaning Leicester have full control over his future and are not under immediate pressure to sell.
Archenemies among the suitors
Leicester are nevertheless willing to trade at the right price, and the player’s representatives are fully aware of the growing interest.
Page made his senior team debut last season, but it’s his performances this season that have really accelerated his reputation. Despite Leicester’s own challenges, the teenager has delivered a string of impressive performances that surpass his age.
TEAMtalk can reveal that Manchester City have also entered the picture – Pep Guardiola’s club are continuing their interest in Leicester’s up-and-coming talent after plundering the Foxes for Jeremy Monga in the summer.
However, City are not alone. Premier League champions Arsenal and Chelsea have also followed Page in recent weeks. Newcastle United, Aston Villa, Brighton and Brentford have also done research – underlining the scale of the competition.
Also Dortmund, Real Madrid and Barcelona
The battle for Page’s signature could extend far beyond English football. Just over a month ago, Borussia Dortmund had joined the fray, with the German club continuing its well-established interest in identifying and developing new talent.
Now, we can confirm that Real Madrid and Barcelona have also been keeping tabs on Page. Both Spanish giants are showing growing interest in the English market and are keeping a close eye on the country’s most promising young players. Their interest adds a new dimension to the transfer battle – Page could potentially have the opportunity to consider offers from some of the world’s biggest clubs.
A significant challenge for United
For United, the situation represents a significant challenge. They are still eager to resume a deal after being so close this summer, but the growing list of suitors means that they probably don’t have an easy path to a deal.
Leicester’s willingness to negotiate provides encouragement to interested clubs, although the demand for a significant sum and a loan back deal would be important factors in any potential deal.
Meanwhile, after United lost yet another star talent – JJ Gabriel – to Real Madrid, the 16-year-old has received a message from Ryan Giggs amid a comparison to Arsenal’s Max Dowman.
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