Filip Stevanovic Set To Sign For The Red Devils
Partizan’s 17-year-old winger Stevanovic has agreed to sign for United in a £12 million deal, according to reports, as Manchester United continue to build for the future. The Serb is set to return to Partizan on loan next season before joining the rest of the team in 2021.
Stevanovic has played against Manchester United twice this season in the Europa league group stage, and despite coming out on the losing side on both occasions, he impressed coming on as a substitute late on in both games. Stevanovic had also been linked with Bayern Munich, Real Madrid and Manchester City.
The highly rated youngster typically plays as a left winger and last season he racked up an impressive nine goals and three assists in 35 appearances in all competitions. He scored his first goal for Partizan aged just 16 and last August, he became the youngest player to score in a UEFA competition in Partizan’s history.
Whilst Manchester United have not confirmed the signing, the player posted a cryptic clue on social media yesterday, posting a photo of himself playing against United, leading to some fans believing that he has confirmed the move. However, Partizan vice president, Vladimir Vuletic, has reportedly said that transfer negotiations are ‘ongoing’ despite reports that the deal has already been done.
Stevanovic can also play on the right and down the middle. He has great footwork and an eye for goal, as conveyed by his 9 goals this season, not bad for a 17-year-old! He is predominantly right footed but has an excellent left foot as well. It is a very sensible move for United to loan him back out rather than throw him straight in at the deep end.
United appear to be targeting the 16-17-year-old transfer market, and over the course of the last year, have signed the likes of Hannibal Mejbri, Dillon Hoogewerf, and Radek Vitek, and they are also set to welcome 15-year-old wonderkid Isak Hansen-Aaroen. This investment in youth is great business for United and hopefully, we will see some of those names in and around the United first team in a couple of years’ time.
