Manchester United have enjoyed great success in recent times in plucking young talent from across Europe and South America, bringing them to England, polishing them up as players and seeing them progress through the squad system at the club to make an impact in the first division team. Recently the likes of Federico Macheda and Brazilian twins Rafael and Fabio have all come through the ranks to make a real name for themselves in the first team and now it seems that Sir Alex has set his sights on another of South America’s finest young soccer talents; River Plate’s 17 year old superstar Daniel Villalva.
The young Daniel Alberto Villalva Barrios was born in Caa Cati, Argentina and is one of the star men in the Argentinian under 17 squad, playing five times and scoring an impressive three goals in those games. He made his club debut earlier in 2009, becoming the youngest player ever to play for the River Plate first team, and has played seven times this season, notching three goals and catching the eye of many team scouts with his performances for both club and country. Villalva stands only 5ft 7 inches tall, the young Villalva has already drawn comparisons with Lionel Messi after starring for Argentina in the Under 17 World Cup and his club, River Plate have already slapped a £5m price tag on his head. However with his stocky frame, he actually resembles Carlos Tevez more in his physical attributes.
United scouts were first alerted to the youngster following his impressive performances at the Under 17 World Cup and it is thought that Sir Alex is monitoring his progress carefully. Should Sir Alex Ferguson decide to follow up on his initial interest he will reportedly face competition from Greek side Panathinaikos, who have also been keeping tabs on the player and who would probably be able to offer him far greater first team opportunities than he would get initially at Manchester United.
A few days after this story first broke, it was quickly reported that Real Madrid had also entered the chase to sign the player as well as other “top European clubs” showing an active interest.
Villalva, who turned 17 in July this year, was interviewed following the surfacing of the rumors linking him with a move away from Argentina and stated;
“I am calm about my future and I will not let things go to my head about a move to Europe.
“I’m happy to continue playing at River Plate and want to help them become champions.”
So while Villalva may well remain on the Manchester United radar for the time being, any deal for the player does not look to imminent just yet.
However a few more eye catching performances for River Plate and Sir Alex Ferguson could well be tempted to open the cheque book to beat other top European sides for the signature of this talented young striker. Either way it seems likely that Villalva has a future in one of the top soccer clubs.
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