How much would you pay for this big striker prospect?

It’s my favorite kind of transfer rumour: Team X sends scout to watch Player Y. Nevermind that this is just what scouts do. They go to games all the time to watch players they think might be good, whether or not their employer is imminently interested in signing them.

Sorry, I’ll stop being the fun police. The team and player in question here are Manchester United and Pio Esposito. The 191cm/6’3” striker had a fantastic first year in Serie A for Inter Milan after previously lighting up Serie B for Spezia, and he’s understandably attracting interest from England.

Here, enjoy a sizzle reel.

Esposito does have some inflated stats from sub effects and mostly starting games against poor opposition, but he was extremely productive in his minutes for a 20-year-old in his first campaign at this level. He’s also an extremely hard-working presser.

Esposito isn’t just a big target forward; he’s scored goals in a few different ways. But his size and aerial ability are probably his best quality. He gets on the end of headers and directs them into the corner.

Ultimately, I do not think that Inter Milan will sell Esposito this window. His stock is still rising, and the potential fee they can get for him is only going up if he scores even more goals in Serie A next season. I think this is very likely to happen if he doesn’t get injured.

Right now, I imagine Inter would demand a fee in excess of £60m for Esposito, which would probably scare off the big English clubs due to his thin production record. The risk that he won’t develop if he makes the move too soon is way too high. But I imagine we’ll be hearing a lot more about United and co. bidding for Esposito this time next year.

More transfer rumours

• In other Manchester United news, they’re willing to pay Elliot Anderson a lot of money to get him to pick them over Man City. But if they can’t convince him, Mateus Fernandes and Alex Scott appear to be the primary alternatives. Fernandes did more defensive work, while Scott looks like the more talented carrier, but I think these are fairly comparable players and both good enough to make a positive impact for United.

• The Red Devils are in a bit of an annoying pickle with Marcus Rashford, whose purchase option was finally officially declined by Barcelona. He’d still like to return there and they’d still like to have him, just not at his actual market value. So there are English clubs probably very willing to pay £25-30m for Rashford, but the only team he wants to sign for just wants to loan him. Yikes.

• I don’t think this rumour linking PSG to Morgan Gibbs-White is that crazy. Obviously he’d have some trouble supplanting their starting midfield, but they don’t really have the box-crashing 10 profile in their squad, and could have some space in their midfield group if Warren Zaire-Emery moves to RB full time and Lee Kang-In is sold.

• With Bayern Munich losing the race for Anthony Gordon and being quoted some outrageous prices for alternatives, Gabriel Martinelli might be a good fit. He’d give Bayern the athleticism they want to add on the wing, and Arsenal might be ready to sell high on Martinelli, who has been decent, but has also stagnated. £40m seems like a pretty good deal for all parties?

• Speaking of guys it’s time to cash in on, Aston Villa are once again facing down the prospect of selling Emi Martinez. He’s reportedly close to an agreement with Juventus, and if they’re being remotely serious with a bid, I think Villa should take their money. He’s a 33-year-old who’s been league average the last two years.

• Bayer Leverkusen have signed 16-year-old Kennet Eichorn, who had an impressive debut season in the 2. Bundesliga for Hertha Berlin. He’s a tall and athletic midfielder who has a lot of developing to do as a passer, but is a good dribbler for his size and defensive player for his age. He looks like a really interesting prospect.

• Here’s a very funny rumour that Jeremie Frimpong could leave Liverpool after just one season to reunite with Xabi Alonso at Chelsea. I feel like those teams would struggle to find a price they’re both OK with.

• Newcastle fans, you’re going to want to keep an eye on Senegal at the World Cup. The Magpies are linked to midfielder Lamine Camara, who had a very productive season for Monaco. There’s quite a bit of risk attached to the rumoured £45m price tag, but he’s a very talented young player.

• I think Inter Milan might be getting a steal in left center back Oumar Solet for €20m. In an increasingly aerialpilled world, finding a ball-playing lefty like this at that cheap of a pricepoint feels like finding one hell of a market inefficiency.

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