Manchester United are close to completing a deal for Cardiff youngster Gabriele Biancheri, according to reports.
The 16-year-old, who is highly-rated in south Wales, has agreed to move to the Red Devils after impressing for Cardiff's under-21s this season. Biancheri completed a medical over the weekend and is set to join United, signing a scholar contract and then a long-term professional deal when he turns 17 in September.
A move for Biancheri does not need to be completed before Tuesday's deadline but United acted quickly to capture the services of a talented forward who has also been linked with a move to Chelsea. Wout Weghorst and Jack Butland are the Red Devils' only two senior additions in the January window so far.
But who is Biancheri?
He has been at the Bluebirds for a number of years now but it is only since this season that he has really caught the eye, having scored 17 goals in his first 11 matches of the season. Biancheri was rewarded with his under-21s debut in December as he came on at half-time against Wolves for Isaak Davies.
Despite his lack of experience at that level, Biancheri almost scored an equaliser in that game. He latched on to a looped through ball before bringing it under control, opening up his body and attempting to bend it into the corner - but Wolves keeper Andreas Sondergaard saved well.
The step up from the under-18s was just reward for the positive start to the campaign which Biancheri has enjoyed. He also featured for Wales under-17s in their UEFA European Championship qualifiers in October, grabbing an assist in a 2-0 win over Croatia.
Biancheri has been described as a pacy, sharp and dynamic forward who can play anywhere across the front line and also in the No.10 role. It is likely he will slot straight into the U18s set-up at the Red Devils, with a view of eventually making the step up to the U23s and then the first-team in the future.
With Brexit rules now encouraging Category One academies to look to prise top assets from other clubs in the UK, United are among the number of clubs who are trying to poach the best young talent. The Red Devils and Chelsea were linked with a move for Biancheri back in December but the Bluebirds' resistance has now been pierced.
Cardiff have a history of blooding through young players and giving them a chance in the first-team, with Davies, Mark Harris and Chanka Zimba among those to graduate into the senior side in recent years. But they have been unable to keep hold of Biancheri, with a move to Old Trafford set to be completed.
