Manchester United transfer news: Who is Fran Villalba, the teenage prodigy the club are trying to sign?

MANCHESTER UNITED are being linked with a January transfer window move for Valencia teenager Fran Villalba.

According to the midfielder's agent, United have made contact with him to sound out whether he would be interested in a move to Old Trafford.

3

Villalba is regarded as one of the brightest prospects coming through Spanish football, and he made his La Liga debut for Valencia as a 17-year-old.

The man who gave him his first start was Gary Neville, the former United defender who endured an ill-fated spell as Valencia boss last season.

3

But Neville saw enough during his stay in Spain to recommend him to his old club and since then United have kept a keen eye in his development in Valencia's B team.

Villalba has been groomed for success as he worked his way through the schoolboy system at his home town club.

He has represented his country at every age group up from under-16 to under-19, and despite his diminutive 5ft 6in frame, hopes are high he will develop into a top class player.

Valencia are hoping the 18-year-old will make enough progress over a season spent with their B team for him to be drafted into the senior squad there next summer.

3

Related Stories

BACK TO BUSINESS

Liverpool vs Man Utd and Bob Bradley's baptism of fire - seven reasons to celebrate the return of the Premier League this weekend

Nou Camp welcome Matt

Barcelona in shock move to land Manchester United's out-of-favour defender Matteo Darmian

fran the man

Manchester United contact agent of Valencia wonderkid Fran Villalba as they line up January transfer bid

Crock Luck

Liverpool and Man United both have injury problems – here's eight who could miss crunch derby

But United could make that difficult if they come up with the £3.6million it would take to meet the buy-out clause in his contract.

They are not the only major European side who have shown an interest, however, with Barcelona also sending scouts to watch him this season.

But though he is regarded as a prodigious talent, United would not be buying him to throw straight into the ferocity of Premier League football.

Instead they would be more likely to give him a year training with the senior players but playing in the development squad, with one eye firmly on the future.

Watch ALL the goals from the Premier League before anyone else for FREE plus all the latest news, fixtures and results and live match commentary all on the go with the new Sun Football App – click here to download