Italian teenager Simone Pafundi could reportedly make the move to Manchester United in the near future.
The 18-year-old is contracted to Italian giants Udinese, but he is currently on loan at Swiss Super League outfit Lausanne Sport, and he is expected to join the club on a permanent basis this summer.
Lausanne are believed to be able to sign him permanently for €15m (£12.9m), and according to Tuttomercatoweb, the Swiss outfit are preparing to trigger the clause.
The report, though, claims that Pafundi is destined to make the move to Man United in the not too distant future due to the presence of Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
The British billionaire has recently taken over the football department at Old Trafford, with his deal to become a minority shareholder of the 20-time English champions being confirmed earlier this year.
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Man United 'in pole position to bring Simone Pafundi to Old Trafford'
Ratcliffe and his INEOS team also own Lausanne, and it is believed that the plan is for Pafundi to make the switch to Man United, either this summer or potentially in 2025.
Pafundi made his professional debut for Udinese at the age of 16, and he has represented the Italian side on 11 occasions in all competitions.
The attacker moved to Lausanne on loan in January, and he has now featured 14 times for the Swiss outfit, scoring once and providing two assists in the process.
Pafundi is also a full Italy international, making his debut for the national team against Albania in November 2022, although he has not been selected since.
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Sir Jim Ratcliffe expected to target young players for Man United
Man United's big-money purchase of veteran midfielder Casemiro in the summer of 2022 is a deal that was allegedly questioned by Ratcliffe during the takeover talks.
Ratcliffe is said to be determined to move away from a strategy of overpaying for established stars, with the 20-time English champions now expected to focus on younger players.
There will be a number of outgoings this summer, but the likes of Kobbie Mainoo, Alejandro Garnacho and Rasmus Hojlund are thought to be seen as a key part of the club's plans moving forward.
Casemiro, Christian Eriksen, Jonny Evans and Raphael Varane could allegedly be the first four players to leave Old Trafford this summer.
Anthony Martial is also set to depart on a free transfer, with the Red Devils looking to build a team which is capable of competing for major trophies once again.
Matt Law
