EURO 2016 starlet could be the perfect under-the-radar addition for Man United’s new boss

There is a certain 19-year-old striker at this year’s European Championship worthy of serious attention. He has mostly sat on the bench, as he is not the first choice striker and will use being part of the Swiss squad as valuable experience.

Yet eyes from the Premier League are casting glances at the young man from Basel… mainly those of Jose Mourinho.

Last summer, Breel Embolo became a name bandied about the transfer market, as one or two clubs made enquiries and then took their interest no further.

The Switzerland international has done little so far to enhance his name outside of his homeland, but then at 19, what are we expecting?

The teenager has reportedly been subject to an offer from ambitious, and newly promoted, German Bundesliga side Red Bull Leipzig.

But United have allegedly been in touch with Embolo’s representatives and will consider submitting a bid to FC Basel in the coming weeks. It is thought that United will be able to offer the midfielder the more lucrative deal and are in pole position to complete the signing.

Leipzig were confident a deal was close to completion before the start of the European Championship at a figure believed to be around £15m excluding bonuses.

He is surprisingly quick for his size and immensely powerful given his impressive 6ft.1″ frame and whenever he is on the ball you get the sense something is about to happen. He is a centre-forward by trade yet, like Anthony Martial, is very capable of playing in a wide position. United lacked a concrete threat from the right hand side last season until Jesse Lingard was handed an opportunity.

Lingard, whilst talented, will probably remain a rotational option for Mourinho, with Embolo representing a significant step up in both quality and potential.

Reports in Switzerland have claimed contact has been made between the Cameroon-born star’s representatives and Old Trafford chiefs. The suggestion is that Embolo, who it says could eventually cost up to £28m, might earn £76,000 a week with United plus get the opportunity of Premier League football and a bigger stage to play upon.

Embolo has been praised as a complete striker: He is powerful, technically strong and decisive. He has explosive pace and is a composed finisher and has now played for his adopted country – he was born in Cameroon – on 13 occasions, scoring once.

But Embolo doesn’t sacrifice his strength for speed. The powerful front-man has the ability to beat defenders and hustle for the ball on the counter-attack. His well-rounded approach to the striking role means he’s versatile, and was why former boss Paulo Sousa stated he “loved everything about him”.The 19-year-old forward bagged 12 goals for Swiss Super League side FC Basel last season and his displays caught the attention of clubs across Europe.Yet it is Jose Mourinho who has seen something in the up and coming  young Swiss that entices him to spend over £20m for a relative unknown. Much in the same way as Eric Bailly was pretty much unknown to most English fans before his recent Old Trafford move.In Embolo’s first full season, he demonstrated impressive goalscoring prowess, firing 10 goals in 26 league games and complementing leading scorers Shkelzen Gashi and veteran Marco Streller. His large, muscular physique and overall presence on the pitch has garnered comparisons to the likes of Didier Drogba although he likens himself to Mario Balotelli.The young striker has Swiss titles under his belt, international and Champions League/Europa League experience against the likes of Liverpool and Real Madrid and is certainly a star for the future. At such a young age, he has his weaknesses as well, but there is plenty of time under Mourinho’s guidance to become the finished article.An incredible potential talent that is under most clubs radars and before they even consider him, Mourinho could have snatched him from under their very noses.Jose 1 -0 everyone else, if this one comes off…[ad_pod id=’playwire’ align=’center’][ad_pod id=’euro-2016′ align=’center’]