Sources: Man United in pole position to sign Ashley Phillips ahead of Chelsea, Tottenham and Everton
Man United are in pole position to sign Blackburn Rovers teen sensation Ashley Phillips, Football Insider understands.
The giant centre-back, 16, is also target for likes of Chelsea, Tottenham and Everton after catching the eye for Blackburn and England’s youth sides.
A recruitment source has told Football Insider that United are desperate to win the race for the 6ft 4in youngster as they see him as a star-in-the-making.
Blackburn are desperate to keep hold of their prized asset but are bracing themselves for offers for Phillips from United, who are lining up a bid, and others.
He has less than 18 months to run on his current deal at Ewood Park.
Phillips has trained with the first team on several occasions this season as well as featuring for the club’s youth sides.
He has made eight appearances in the Premier League 2, scoring twice.
The defender has also featured twice in the FA Youth Cup and three times for England’s Under 17s.
Phillips has also earned rave reviews from Blackburn manager Tony Mowbray this season.
As quoted by Lanc Live (10 January), Mowbray insisted Phillips’ inclusion in the club’s FA Cup squad for their clash against Wigan on 8 January was “warranted”.
Mowbray also described the defender as “the future” though he played no role as Rovers were dumped out of the cup.
On 10 November, also speaking to Lancs Live, the Rovers boss hailed Phillips as “phenomenal” and admitted “the kid has every attribute” you would want in a top defender.
Man United’s interest in Phillips is reminiscent of their swoop for a young Phil Jones back in 2011.
Then-Blackburn star Jones was also one of the hottest young players around and he has gone on to make 226 appearances for the Red Devils.
In other news, a pundit has been left baffled after Ralf Rangnick started a Man United player “I thought would never play for them again”.