Both Manchester clubs are reportedly after Swedish talent Pavle Vagic – reports the Sun, but he is proving to be a tough to crack. There is an undisputed quality within the 16-year-old, who plays for Malmo. Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s old club Malmo are feeling confident that they may have actually for the replacement for the 11-time Golden Ball winner in Swedish football. The young attacker has already managed to score five goals in just 13 games for the Swedish U17 and U18 teams.
Even though he is only 16, Malmo have already seen enough in him to suggest that he is a player fit enough for the senior team.
Interestingly, Manchester City are the first club to have registered an interest in the player. Pep Guardiola is thought to be keen on bringing the young attacker to his setup at the Etihad stadium. City have been on signing spree when it comes to talented youngsters. After having recently brought in the likes of Raheem Sterling and Leroy Sane for massive transfer fees, the club are now looking to bolster the attack with the signing of Pavle Vagic.
Pavle Vagic, though, will not be a player made for the first in straightaway. It is highly likely that City would send him out on loan at least for a year before bringing him back into their set up. Perhaps, it is for this reason Vagic has turned down a move to City.
The first interest from City came two years ago and the player was just 14 years old. His family decided to turn down the move since it was extremely risky. Vagic was always going to get a lot of first-team opportunities at Malmo. It was going to be highly doubtful whether he would settle in at Manchester.
After having had two disappointments with their attempts to sign Vagic, Manchester City would have been expected to give up on the race for the 16-year-old. It is not the case, as they still believe that Vagic will be available in January or in the summer. The entry of Manchester United changes the dynamic of the situation quite rapidly.
Jose Mourinho certainly does not have a great record when it comes to developing 16-year-olds into stars. However, the presence of one player alone could make a major difference in the destination of the player.
Manchester United recently announced that they would be taking up the option of a second year for a striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, and the forward would be at Old Trafford until the summer of 2018. Mourinho has spoken in length about Ibrahimovic being one of the best motivators for a young forward, and his presence could be the trump card in getting Vagic.
