Manchester United have reportedly contacted Olympiacos over potentially signing their teenage sensation Charalampos Kostoulas.
Despite his tender age, the 17-year-old has broken into the Olympiacos first team this season, starting either behind the striker, or as the lone front man himself.
Kostoulas was one of the players who led the Greek giants to glory in last season’s UEFA Youth League, scoring five goals in eight games on the way to beating the likes of Bayern Munich and Feyenoord to reach the final, where they outclassed AC Milan 3-0 in Nyon.
Now starring for the current Conference League holders, Kostoulas has featured prominently in both the Greek top flight and the Europa League this season.
While they have since crashed out of Europe at the last-16 stage, Olympiacos remain on course to win the title in Greece this season, with Kostoulas currently sitting behind only Ayoub El Kaabi in the club’s scoring charts.
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Man United to enter negotiations for Greek wonderkid?
The performances of Kostoulas have certainly not gone unnoticed, because it was reported last month that Arsenal were keeping tabs on the player.
According to the Sun, Man United are now joining the Gunners in the race for the 17-year-old, who Olympiacos are said to be keen to keep this summer.
Valued at £7.2m by Transfermarkt, it is unlikely the Greek club will be willing to accept anything near that for the player, especially with shrewd businessman Evangelos Marinakis overseeing any potential deal.
The report also states that there is interest from Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, Juventus, AC Milan and clubs in Spain, so a bidding war could be on the cards that pushes the price of Kostoulas up further.
Is Kostoulas the real deal?
Man United have put a lot of faith in young strikers in the past couple of years, but the signings of Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee have not gone to plan so far.
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Kostoulas has the raw ability to be successful, but the stature of Man United, and the pressure that brings can be difficult for any young player.
The attacker was set to be drafted into the senior Greek squad for this week’s internationals, but injury prevented that, meaning his only experience in that regard has been at youth level, and most recently with the Under-21s.
It should not be long before Kostoulas emulates his father Athanasios in representing Greece at senior level though, and he could join some very exciting young talents in the squad when they next convene in June.
Christos Mouzakitis was a team mate of Kostoulas during the Youth League success last season, and he is also now a first-team member at both senior club and country level, playing an important role in Greece’s win in Scotland on Sunday, while also drawing interest from Arsenal.
All of the headlines went to Genk’s Konstantinos Karetsas though, who scored the stunning second goal that turned the tie on its head in favour of Greece, and at 17, also looks set for a big move in the near future.
