Colombian prodigy issues ‘come and get me’ plea to Man United

Usually, it’s the case that the Premier League giants identify their transfer targets and then set about trying to convince the player. But not so in the case of Colombian ace Jeison Lucumi, who has declared it’s his “dream” to play for Manchester United.

The 22-year-old burst onto the scene with second-tier side Atletico FC as a teenager, but it’s since joining homeland heavyweights America de Cali that the versatile forward has really shone.

Primarily a winger, the lightning-quick Lucumi has also proven himself capable in a striker’s role, netting five times in 15 games in the current Primera A campaign.

But his focus is largely on the future, with the Cali native telling AS Colombia: “My dream is to go to play for Manchester United and with God’s help I’ll achieve it.”

And having gone on to cite the likes of Wayne Rooney and Jesse Lingard as inspirations, there’s little doubt he’d take any convincing if the Red Devils registered an interest.

So, do United need him?

In a word: yes. With Memphis Depay having been sold off in January, Antonio Valencia converted to a full-back and the likes of Ashley Young workmanlike but not creative enough, you could argue that a new winger should be Jose Mourinho’s main focus this summer.

Add in the fact that Lucumi can double as a striker, and has the physical presence to cut it at Premier League level, and the Portuguese gaffer could well kill two birds with one stone.

Next up for Man United is Saturday’s meeting with Swansea City at Old Trafford. It’s 3/10 for a Red Devils win, while 11/1 says they beat the Swans 3-1 for the second time this season.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing