Manchester United wonderkid Deji Sotona has been left questioning the club’s direction, reports say. The teenager has flourished for the club, sparking interest from Italy, Spain, Germany and France. And the 17-year-old may depart Old Trafford with the teenager seemingly unconvinced the Theatre of Dreams is the best place for his development.
Sotona scored the winner in United’s FA Youth Cup victory over Wigan in February.
And The Athletic say that’s sparked interest in the 17-year-old, with clubs from Europe’s top four divisions all interested in snapping him up.
Sotona is said to be questioning whether the club is the right place for him to carry on his development, with incidents last season behind his thinking.
The report fails to elaborate on what specifically is behind the teenager’s thinking.
But United are now at a risk of losing the promising young star, in what would be a big blow to manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
It’s said clubs keen on signing Sotona have been given encouragement by the fact no professional deal has yet been agreed.
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Players can sign pro terms on their 17th birthday.
But there has reportedly been a ‘lack of progress on contract talks’ - which runs contrary to the agreement he struck with the club when he signed his two-year scholarship last summer.
United, for their part, are adamant further talks will happen when they feel the time is right.
Sotona has trained with the first team on a few occasions this season and clocked the fastest speed of anyone at the club in tests, with 22.9mph.
And even United players are said to have made comments about the 17-year-old signing professional terms with the Red Devils.
Meanwhile, speaking last month, club legend and head of first team development Nicky Butt admitted he wanted their academy to continue to unearth gems.
“We’ve got a really good balance of players we’ve brought through and what you would call big names from Europe,” he said.
“We’ve got a balance now that we’re happy with.
“But you’ve got to keep improving, keep getting players, keep the recruitment coming in and keep the world-class talent coming to Man United.”