Birmingham City youngster Menzi Mazwi could become the centre of a transfer battle this summer between a handful of Premier League and European sides, according to a report from Football Insider.
The 18-year-old has yet to play a professional game for the West Midlands outfit but is now wanted by the likes of Manchester United and Chelsea after his strong performances in the Professional Development League, including helping his side secure a heroic comeback victory against Bournemouth’s U-21s last month.
The Welsh youth international’s contract expires this summer, hence the interest from top sides now seems to take form. However, any move would not be free for the midfielder due to his age. Instead, any club that wishes to sign him would have to pay a compensation fee to Birmingham, although the number reported for the potential fee is as low as £300,000.
Mazwi has been offered a new contract by his current team, with that deal being a three-year professional contract, but with relegation to League One, their negotiating position could have worsened. It is now up to the player to decide on where he believes his future is.
It is not only the Red Devils and Chelsea who are eyeing up a move for the player. Tottenham Hotspur are also reportedly fans of the youngster’s ability and could join their Premier League rivals in a race for his signature. However, all three could also be set to battle the proposal of moving abroad, with Bundesliga sides Bayern Munich and RB Leipzig also keen.
Writer’s View
With the Blues having offered their man a new deal already, their intent is clearly to keep him and that could be in the best interests of all parties. Although all the other prospects are promising ones, the teenager has not played a single minute of professional football yet, so there would likely be more of a chance for him to earn that over the next season or more in League One.
However, Mazwi may also be looking at players such as Kobbie Mainoo or Willy Kambwala as examples that even huge clubs such as Manchester United will give you the opportunities if you are good enough, and therefore wish to challenge himself by taking that on if the proposal is given to him.
