Man Utd rival Bayern Munich for the 'new Raphael Varane' | OneFootball

Fenerbahce's prodigious young centre-back Yusuf Akcicek has reportedly attracted transfer interest from a glut of elite European clubs, with Manchester United and Bayern Munich among those named in a report from Germany.

Akcicek's rise has been steep. After crossing the fierce divide to leave Galatasaray for their Istanbul rivals Fenerbahce at youth team level, the coveted defender only made his top-flight debut at the end of last season.

Jose Mourinho handed Akcicek just nine minutes of league football across the first six months of the season but has grown increasingly confident in the talented, towering 19-year-old. The 6'3 centre-back became a regular during Fenerbahce's Europa League campaign, starting their final six fixtures in the competition before a penalty shootout exit to Rangers.

This startling ascent has caught the eye of an ever-growing pool of rival clubs according to Sport BILD. The German publication confirmed that Bayern Munich have sent scouts to monitor the teenage star, although he is not considered to be a leading target for the Bundesliga giants this summer.

Manchester United, by contrast, are said to have "considerable interest" in Akcicek. Atletico Madrid, Napoli and RB Leipzig were also floated.

The Red Devils are on the lookout for any kind of defensive reinforcements given the demand of at least three centre-backs to fit Ruben Amorim's system. United have also made a habit of signing young central defenders with more promise than proven excellence. Ayden Heaven was poached from Arsenal's youth setup in January just six months after fellow teenager Leny Yoro arrived from Lille.

Akcicek has some experience operating in a back-three and has earned lofty praise from Mourinho.

"I don't want to compare him to Rapha Varane because he has won four Champions Leagues, World Cup and won everything," the former Real Madrid boss gushed earlier this season. "But I had Rapha Varane when he was 18 and I was not wrong. And I am not wrong with this kid. [He has a] big personality and is very confident."

Varane stuffed his trophy cabinet at Real Madrid before joining Manchester United towards the tail-end of his career. If Akcicek is to live up to the legacy of one of the modern game's greatest centre-backs, it's little wonder he has such a long queue of suitors.