Manchester United linked with Russian wonderkid Sergey Pinyaev | OneFootball

A busy summer is predicted at Manchester United with Erik ten Hag’s first-team squad in major need of reinforcements.

INEOS will be taking charge of their first transfer window at the head of the sporting structure at Old Trafford, and will be desperate to get off to a good start.

United have lacked creativity throughout the season and are comfortably the lowest scorers in the top half of the Premier League.

As reported by HITC, the club are closely monitoring Russian wonderkid Sergey Pinyaev, who has been likened to Cristiano Ronaldo by a former Premier League star.

Ex-Arsenal player and compatriot, Andriy Arshavin, drew comparisons between Pinyaev and Ronaldo after his breakthrough season with Lokomotiv Moscow.

“I have said many times that (Pinyaev) has qualities. The main thing is still his speed. He flies like a rocket. He understands when it is necessary to pass the ball. For me, Sergey is Cristiano Ronaldo. The way he plays, his style, he looks like the Portuguese,” said Arshavin.

Pinyaev has played 31 times in the league and cup for Lokomotiv this season, scoring three times and impressing fans with his electric speed and direct style.

Interestingly, United have previously welcomed Pinyaev through the doors at Old Trafford, with the youngster going through trials at the club in 2020. Work permit issues prevented signing the talented attacker at that point, but there will be hope his previous links with the club will help them secure his signature this time around.

However, HITC also report that United will face major competition for the 19-year-old winger, and it’s believed a fee of £26 million would be enough to seal the deal.

A raft of clubs including Manchester City, Chelsea, Borussia Dortmund, and the newly-crowned Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen, have all registered interest in the forward.

The Russian would add to Ten Hag’s youthful frontline which has suffered a turbulent campaign despite the obvious potential.

Given United’s lack of attacking threat this season, Pinyaev would need to hit the ground running should he decide to make the switch to Old Trafford.

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