MANCHESTER UNITED are facing an almighty scrap to sign hot MLS prospect Jhon Duran after another European giant joined his growing list of admirers.
Primeira Liga leaders Benfica are now in the race to sign the exciting 19-year-old winger, according to Record.
The Portuguese paper report the two-time European champions want to snap up the Chicago Fire star next month.
Duran won the first of his three Columbia caps in September and is regarded as one of the most promising young players in world football.
After catching the eye as a raw teen with Envigado in his homeland he earned a move to the MLS in January.
The versatile 6ft 1in tall attacker made his Fire debut the following month against David Beckham’s Inter Miami.
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Duran bagged the first of his first goal for the club in May against Cincinnati and now has eight in America’s top flight along with five assists.
His growing pedigree has attracted widespread interest with Graham Potter’s Chelsea among those to enquire about him.
Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool have also been linked with Duran, who is comfortable on the wing or as a No 9.
But his attributes might also be perfect to groom into a player to fit the new Cristiano Ronaldo-shaped hole at Old Trafford.
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Chicago Fire are struggling and third-from-bottom in the MLS’s Eastern Conference.
The Illinois-based club sold 18-year-old keeper Gabriel Slonina to Chelsea for £9million in August and may decide to tap into some more Prem cash again by flogging another prospect.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
