Manchester United and Chelsea are reportedly keeping a close eye on Galatasaray midfielder Aleksey Batrakov.
According to Turkish outlet SPORX, both Premier League clubs are expected to send scouts to watch the 21-year-old during Galatasaray’s Champions League meeting with Barcelona.
Batrakov has attracted attention since making the move to Galatasaray from Russian club Lokomotiv Moscow. The Turkish side reportedly paid around €25 million to secure his services after English clubs were unable to complete a deal for the midfielder due to sanctions.
Now, his performances in Turkey have brought him back onto the radar of clubs in England.
Manchester United and Chelsea watching closely
Both Manchester United and Chelsea are believed to be monitoring Batrakov as they continue to assess midfield options for the future.
The Champions League clash with Barcelona will provide an important opportunity for the young midfielder to show what he can do against one of Europe’s biggest clubs.
Scouts from both Premier League sides are expected to be in attendance, with Batrakov’s performance likely to be closely assessed.
At just 21, the midfielder still has plenty of room to develop, making him an interesting option for clubs looking to invest in young talent.
A big test against Barcelona
Facing Barcelona on the Champions League stage will be one of the biggest tests of Batrakov’s career so far.
Manchester United and Chelsea will be looking beyond the result, with the focus likely to be on his technical ability, decision-making, movement and how he handles the pressure of a major European fixture.
A strong display could further increase interest in the Russian midfielder and potentially lead to a transfer battle between the two Premier League giants.
For now, there is no indication that either club has made a formal offer. The immediate focus is on watching Batrakov closely before deciding whether to take their interest further.
With both United and Chelsea reportedly sending scouts, however, the Galatasaray midfielder could soon find himself at the centre of more transfer speculation.
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