Manchester United have tabled a bid to sign Olympiacos midfielder Christos Mouzakitis ahead of the winter transfer window, according to Sportime.
The Red Devils have been fancied to reinforce their midfield department next year, but may have to wait until the summer to purchase one of their priority targets.
Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton and Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson are on their radar, but neither of them is expected to be available until the season ends.
This has not stopped the speculation, and Greek outlet Sportime claim that the Mancunian giants have already made an offer worth £25m to purchase Mouzakitis.
Real Madrid have also made a slightly better offer for the 18-year-old midfielder.
Olympiacos, on their part, don’t plan to sell Mouzakitis in January unless they receive £35m.
United aiming for an early deal to ward off competition
Mouzakitis made his big breakthrough for Olympiacos last season, registering two goals and five assists from 38 appearances across all competitions.
He has carried over the form to the ongoing campaign. The teenager has two assists to his name, but has also caught the eye with his duel-winning skills.
Mouzakitis recently starred in Greece’s 3-2 home victory over Scotland. He won 100 percent of his duels with a passing accuracy of almost 90 percent.
The midfielder put up another top showing against Real Madrid in the Champions League last week.
The 18-year-old won six duels with six recoveries, while completing 100 percent of his dribbles. He had 71 touches with 29 successful passes in the opposition half.
Mouzakitis has a similar profile to Wharton with his forward-mindedness and recovery pace. The left-footed ace is available at half the price of the Englishman.
With Madrid also in the pursuit, United must be proactive to secure his services this winter.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com & Sofascore.com
