Manchester United are reportedly fighting to retain the services of highly-rated 19-year-old attacker Omari Forson.
The former West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur youth product has risen through the ranks at Old Trafford since joining the club in 2019, but his contract expires at the end of the campaign.
Forson is yet to make a competitive first-team appearance for the Red Devils, but he was named on the bench by Erik ten Hag during their 4-3 Champions League defeat to Bayern Munich in September.
The 2004-born attacker also featured in six of the club's seven friendly matches ahead of the 2023-24 season, turning out against Leeds United, Lyon, Arsenal, Borussia Dortmund, Lens and Athletic Bilbao while being an unused substitute against Real Madrid.
As Forson continues to push for his first-team breakthrough, the attacker is making waves at academy level, coming up with two goals and one assist in a 3-0 UEFA Youth League win over Galatasaray.
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A stellar September also saw the teenager register three goals and one assist in four Premier League 2 matches for the Under-21s, netting in three successive games against Sunderland, Arsenal and Blackburn Rovers.
Forson has favoured the left-wing position this term, but he is also comfortable through the middle and on the right-hand side, and he earned his first two caps for England's Under-20s in October.
Man United are understood to be in talks with Forson over a new contract, but The Mirror claims that the Red Devils are battling to keep hold of the 2004-born youngster, who will be free to enter pre-contract talks with foreign clubs in January.
The report states that the 20-time English champions are desperate to tie Forson down to a new deal, and his potential exit for nothing at the end of the season would see the club lose "huge sums".
Teams outside of England are believed to be keeping a close eye on developments, and should Forson pursue his dreams away from his homeland, Man United would receive even loss compensation.
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However, Premier League clubs are also expected to throw their hat into the ring if Man United cannot strike a contract agreement with Forson's representatives in the coming months.
Forson is not the only Man United winger facing an uncertain future, as Jadon Sancho has spent two months in exile from the first team after publicly hitting out at Ten Hag over his omission from the squad to face Arsenal in September.
The former Borussia Dortmund man has refused to apologise to his manager, who is not relenting on his stance either, and all parties are working on an exit from Old Trafford in the January transfer window.
A return to Dortmund on loan could be on the cards if Man United agree to fork out a portion of his wages, while Juventus have also been linked with a swoop, but Sancho is thought to be leaning towards staying in the Premier League.
The Red Devils are back in action when they meet Copenhagen in Champions League Group A on Wednesday evening, seeking to replicate their 1-0 win over the Danish side from a fortnight ago.
Ben Knapton
