Todd Cantwell during the PL match against Manchester United (Getty Images)
According to The Athletic, Manchester United are one of the Premier League clubs interested in signing Norwich City starlet Todd Cantwell in the summer.
A product of the Norwich City academy, Todd Cantwell, 21, broke into the first-team under Daniel Farke last season where he made 24 Championship appearances, racking up a goal and two assists. Upon the Canaries’ promotion, the midfielder has been one of the most impressive players at Carrow Road in what has been a tumultuous top-flight campaign.
The 21-year-old has scored six goals and notched two assists in his 26 Premier League games, catching also the attention of clubs like Manchester City, Tottenham and Liverpool, The Athletic claims.
Norwich are reeling at the bottom of the table and a return to the Championship appears likely, but the report adds that Farke’s club will demand £30million for Cantwell, regardless of what division they are in. That being said, Manchester United must beat their Premier League rivals to Cantwell’s signature in the summer.
The Red Devils have been inconsistent so far this season as they lie ninth in the table. They are fighting tooth and nail to qualify for the Champions League next campaign and to boost his squad for the second half, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer added Bruno Fernandes and Odion Ighalo (on loan) during the January transfer window.
However, United must spend heavily in the summer as Solskjaer needs more bodies to manage the team’s workload come next season. One area the Red Devils boss should prioritise strengthening is his attack after seeing his team score only 36 goals in 29 games.
Marcus Rashford, who has netted 17 goals across all competitions, is having the best season of his footballing career and his untimely injury has seen goals dry up, with United yet to score in their last three league games. In his absence, the likes of Anthony Martial, Daniel James and Mason Greenwood haven’t been effective.
Solskjaer may have added Bruno Fernandes to his roster in January in a bid to add the creative spark and goals to the team but the boss should know that Juan Mata has entered his 30s and isn’t quite capable of keeping up with the fast-paced nature of Premier League football. To put things straight, the Red Devils must replace Mata with Todd Cantwell.
Cantwell has scored six times and recorded two assists in 26 Premier League appearances for the Canaries, behind only to Teemu Pukki (11 goals, three assists) in direct goal involvements. He has played largely on the left flank for Norwich this term but the 21-year-old is an extremely versatile player who can play in the number 10 role or in a midfield three.
The England Under-21 international would add depth to United’s attacking ranks, whilst bringing competition within the squad. At 21, Cantwell will fit right into Solskjaer’s United, with the Norwegian tactician currently rebuilding the club and clearly relying on young talents and academy products. Thus, United must definitely go for the Norwich midfielder in the summer.
