Manchester United Transfer News: Tahith Chong Signing Expected, Latest Rumours

Manchester United are reportedly poised to complete the capture of Feyenoord sensation Tahith Chong in the next few days, beating Arsenal and Chelsea to the player’s signature.

That’s according to Sami Mokbel of the MailOnline, who has reported the 16-year-old’s negotiations with the Red Devils are at an “advanced stage and are set to be completed in the coming days.” It’s also noted the two aforementioned London clubs were keen on the player, too.

The young Dutchman has been on United’s radar for a long time, according to Mokbel.

Here is a look at why he’s rated so highly:

Dutch football journalist Elko Born offered a rundown of the qualities Chong possesses:

Indeed, it’s clear from the footage above that Chong is a very exciting prospect. He plays the game with the kind of technical proficiency you’d expect from a prodigious, young Dutch winger, and he has a burst of raw speed that gets supporters excited on the sidelines.

“The combination of pace, technique and oversight make him really special,” Mark Lievisse Adriaanse of Leven met Feyenoord told Squawka’s Greg Johnson of the player. “He’s just 16 but is very well developed if you compare him with other players his age. His explosiveness is quite special I’d say.”

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According to Stuart Mathieson of the Manchester Evening News, the United scouts got a firsthand look at Chong last summer, when he impressed for Feyenoord’s under-17 team at a tournament staged at the Red Devils’s Carrington training complex.

With three elite Premier League clubs chasing the player, it’s evident they see something exciting in him, and United fans will be delighted to be seemingly on the brink of getting this one over the line.

Chong may be a while off making an impression at the top level, but given United’s propensity for giving youth a chance, perhaps it won’t be too long until we see him in action.

Toni Kroos Backed to be Premier League Success

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Reported Manchester United target Toni Kroos would be a big hit in the Premier League, according to his brother, Felix.

“If you're able to play a great ball, you'll fit in anywhere,” he told AS (h/t Alex Harris of the Daily Star). “I don't think England would be a problem for Toni. The only adjustment would be missing Christmas. There is always a lot of talk around England and Spain. You should only believe something when it is certain.”

Harris noted Kroos has been isolated as a player United will chase, with the club said to be willing to part with £40 million to bring him in at Old Trafford. Here is a look at what he can offer:

It’s been a season of ups and downs for Kroos. At times, Real have used him in positions that don’t bring the best from him, such as the deepest player in a midfield that lacks in energy. But next to a footballer who can sweep up defensively, the German is a major force, with his passing range, intelligent positioning and long-range shooting all big assets.

As WhoScored.com noted here, Kroos does a lot of his best work in advanced positions on the field, too:

According to Bleacher Report’s Dean Jones, the Red Devils are not the only ones looking at Kroos:

United’s midfield options are varied, with manager Louis van Gaal able to opt for the power of Marouane Fellaini, experienced control of Michael Carrick or Bastian Schweinsteiger and the cerebral traits of Ander Herrera. But Kroos would be a big upgrade in this area.

As Kroos’ sibling notes, adapting to English football is no longer as difficult as it was formerly, and if the German was brought to the Premier League, it’s easy to foresee him dictating games with his aforementioned talents. United are one of many teams in world football who’d be much better off with him in the squad.