'Brilliant' teen rightly concerned as Manchester United eye three big-money deals (2024)

It’s been almost exclusively positive news for Manchester United over the last few days.

Ruud van Nistelrooy and Rene Hake added to Erik ten Hag’s coaching staff, Christopher Vivell providing star power in the recruitment department, Mason Greenwood’s exit nearly complete, deals for Joshua Zirkzee, Matthijs de Ligt and Manuel Ugarte progressing nicely and an offer accepted by Lille for defensive wonderkid Leny Yoro.

Though it’s still early days, if this is what Manchester United are going to look like under Ineos, then the long-awaited ceding of control from the Glazer family has certainly had the desired effect.

But, as is always the case for the Red Devils, drama is never too far away.

Reporter Christopher Michel caused quite the stir when he took to X on Wednesday morning to report that one of the most promising young talents in the United squad had rejected the chance to extend a contract which runs out in the summer of 2025.

Willy Kambwala, Michel says, has admirers in France, Italy and Germany, though Spain is believed to be his preferred destination at this stage.

• READ: The shaping of Matthijs De Ligt, the Golden Boy winner who had to play down Franz Beckenbauer comparisons

Manchester United future uncertain for Willy Kambwala

Now, this does not mean a departure is imminent – or even inevitable – for Kambwala.

Man United’s offer of a new contract shows that they are keen for the 19-year-old to stay. Ten Hag labelled Kambwala ‘brilliant’ after a fine showing during last season’s 2-2 draw with Liverpool too, while a shirt number upgrade – taking him from 53 to 32 – appeared to hint at a first-team role for 2024/25.

“He has been training a while with us and progressing well,” Ten Hag told BBC Sport after that Liverpol clash in April.

“The next generation need to step in and he is doing brilliant. The challenge for him is doing it consistently. Today, he deserved (his chance) and he showed (his abilities) on the pitch.”

Of all the teenagers currently at Carrington, Kambwala was the one who looked the closest to following Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo into the team.

But maybe, amid all the excitement surrounding Man United’s ambitious and fast-moving transfer plans, the Premier League giants have left one of their most promising young players stuck in limbo and fearing for his future.

The former France youth captain is a right-footed centre-half. So too are De Ligt and Yoro. The former is expected to arrive potentially in the coming days in a deal worth around £43 million, per the Daily Mail, while a bid in a similar region was accepted by Lille for the much-coveted Yoro on Tuesday.

United moving for De Ligt, Yoro and Branthwaite

While United’s pursuit of the 6ft 4ins colossus may still be more in hope than expectation – it is no secret he dreams of Real Madrid – the fact is that the Red Devils, in an ideal scenario, would bring in not only De Ligt but Yoro too.

The Manchester Evening News, meanwhile, report that three new centre-halves cannot be ruled out.

United are expected to make a new bid for Jarrad Branthwaite. Everton’s £75 million-rated powerhouse may have thrived on the left under Sean Dyche in 2023/24 but he too is a right-footer by trade.

Kambwala maybe fears then that – if United’s desired defensive overhaul becomes a reality – he will find himself further down the pecking order next season than he was in the last one.

And that leaves Man United with a decision to make.

Do they cash in now, knowing that there is only one year left on his contract? Or do they attempt to convince Kambwala that, even if the dream situation occurs and De Ligt, Yoro and Branthwaite all arrive, he still has a part to play?

• READ: Who is Jarrad Branthwaite? Everything you need to know…

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