Leicester City 'close' to signing youngster Chris Popov from Manchester United
By Mitch Wilks
Leicester City are closing in on a deal to bring 16-year-old Christoper Popov to the club from Manchester United.
Popov spent time on trial with Leicester last season despite still being registered with United, but looks set to leave the Red Devils to link up permanently with the Foxes from next season.
Football Insider report that Leicester have reached a breakthrough in their negotiations for Popov and will secure the teenager's services, who will sign as a scholar until he turns 17 in October, where he will then sign professional terms.
The plan at Leicester is to let Popov develop in the under-18s, before phasing him into the under-23s setup, having impressed with them last season.
United had offered Popov improved terms to stay with the club, but the report claims the 16-year-old now has his heart set on a move to Leicester, where the pathway to the first team is deemed attractive for young talents.
Popov operates as a forward by trade, impressing on the wing and down the middle for club and country. He represents Wales at youth level as a striker and was called up to the under-18s in March of this year, having been playing under-18 Premier League football at times throughout the 2020/21 season.
Signing the young Welshman would be the latest in a seemingly busy summer for Leicester. The FA Cup winners are being linked to a number of names such as Odsonne Edouard and Patson Daka, in an attempt to improve on last season's fifth-placed Premier League finish.
Popov's pending move to Leicester could prompt more opportunities to progress with Wales, also. The Welsh national team haven't been shy of promoting young talent in recent years, with fellow Manchester United midfielder Dylan Levitt in the Euro 2020 squad, as well as the likes of Neco Williams and Harry Wilson.