Manchester United

Manchester United

Premier League • England

Man Utd interest in Alejandro Jimenez revealed, but star pens new deal with Euro giant

Man Utd manager target Erik Ten Hag

A report has detailed Manchester United’s interest in signing Alejandro Jimenez, but the exciting teenager has penned a new contract with Real Madrid.

Jimenez, 16, has won eight caps for the Spain U17 team so far. He is still in the Real Madrid academy but is already being tipped to become a first-team regular in the future.

The starlet mainly plays as a right-back. He is looking to follow in the footsteps of Dani Carvajal, who came through the Real academy before going on to make over 300 appearances in the famous white shirt.

Sport Witness provide an intriguing report on Jimenez, while citing Spanish outlet AS. They reveal Los Blancos have tied the youngster down to a new deal lasting until June 2027.

It is apparently one of the most ‘ambitious’ contracts in the history of Real’s academy. This could mean Jimenez has been given an attractive wage, despite being some way off the senior squad right now.

Sport Witness claim the new terms will ‘eliminate’ interest from around Europe. And there is a lot of it.

Manchester United, Chelsea and Bayern Munich are all keeping tabs on Jimenez’s development ahead of potential bids in the future.

But his new contract in Madrid means they are unlikely to open transfer talks, for now at least.

Real Madrid have plan for Alejandro Jimenez

Jimenez will continue to play for Real U17s before linking up with the first team in pre-season. Should he impress Carlo Ancelotti – if the Italian is still in charge – then the plan is for Jimenez to be Carvajal’s understudy throughout 2022-23.

United, Chelsea and Bayern are always scouting the best teenagers in Europe and beyond. So it’s no surprise they were linked with Jimenez.

United currently have Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Diogo Dalot available at right-back. Incoming boss Erik ten Hag will need to decide who he prefers in the position ahead of next season.

Reports suggest Crystal Palace may bid for Wan-Bissaka if the Englishman is left on the bench. It would be a sensible move, given Wan-Bissaka came through the Palace academy.

Chelsea, meanwhile, can rely on Reece James as a right wing-back. The Blues have sorely missed him during his spells recovering from hamstring and other muscle injuries.

As such, Thomas Tuchel doesn’t need another senior player on the right flank. But Jimenez would have been a good capture, as he could have learned from James.

Finally, Bayern tend to use Benjamin Pavard on the right side of defence. The Frenchman has made 35 appearances across all competitions this term.

Josip Stanisic is a backup for Pavard. Given the fact he is only 22, it would be a surprise if Bayern signed Jimenez as well.

READ MORE: Ronaldo decision made as Ten Hag eyes two strikers to form new-look Man Utd attack – Transfer Gossip