Anyone who says lightning does not strike twice, we draw your attention to a £30 million-rated youngster who – according to reports which have emerged this week – finds himself on Manchester United’s summer wishlist.
In a midweek Championship clash between two former Premier League stalwarts early in 2024, theManchester United target picks up the ball just outside the centre circle.
He skips forward, cuts inside onto his left boot and thumps an extraordinary, near-30 yard shot into the top corner of the Norwich City net, swerving away from the goalkeeper like Paul Scholes‘ iconic Barcelona volley all those years ago.
Four days later, in Rotherham this time, Yaser Asprilla repeated the trick.
It was not quite as far out as his Carrow Road cannonball, but still pretty exceptional. The ball dropped at the edge of the Rotherham penalty area and, without needling a touch to settle himself, Asprilla again located the perfect angle between post and bar.
“There’s no doubt about it, he has fantastic ability,” veteran Watford team-mate Jake Livermore told Football League World, Asprilla dominating the Goal of the Month voting. “It’s a pleasure to play alongside him.
“It’s difficult coming from different cultures, different styles of play since he’s been here. He’s had a few styles of play to play under.
“But he’s really trying to take it on board. With all those factors included, it shows what a great all rounder he is.
“He’s got all the ability there and I am sure he’ll flourish once it all comes together.”
Manchester United eyeing Watford’s Yaser Asprilla
Asprilla set up eight goals in 2023/24 and scored six – often spectacular – strikes of his own. Still only 20, the craft Colombian is already looking like a big fish in a small pond.
Even the most glass-half-full Watford supporters accepting that the time is coming – albeit quicker than they would have liked – for Asprilla to take his talents to a higher level.
“Yaser Asprilla is wanted by several European clubs,” Colombian reporter Guilherme Arango writes on X.
“Brighton, Manchester United, Dortmund, AC Milan, Bologna, Betis and Real Sociedad have all shown interest in the player.
“Watford wants a definitive sale for £30 million.”
Arguably no midfielder in England’s second tier has lit up the Championship at such a young age since, perhaps, Jude Bellingham‘s formative days at Birmingham City.
Manchester United famously missed out on the now-Real Madrid superstar when he opted for Borussia Dortmund back in 2020. Four years on – while Asprilla may be a few years older and more effective drifting in off the right than striding through the centre – the Watford whizzkid may feel like an opportunity United cannot afford to miss out on, especially if he is destined to follow the same path as Bellingham.
‘A new Jude Bellingham’
“You immediately realise when you see a great player,” Gianluca Nani, Watford’s technical director, tells Calciomercato. “At 16-17 years old, (Bellingham) had already received attention from everyone when he played for Birmingham
“A new Bellingham could be Asprilla, at Watford.”
Asprilla may not have Bellingham’s broad-shouldered brawn but he makes up for that in the brains department.
“He is an attacking midfielder,” Nani adds. “He is not as physical as Bellingham, but he has very quick understanding and an exceptional touch on the ball. For now, I can say that he is followed by many clubs.”
Former Watford boss Slaven Bilic – when Asprilla was just 18 – labelled the silky South American a ‘very explosive, rare talent’ who was well on his way to becoming something pretty ‘special’ (Watford Observer).
Two years on, Bilic’s premonition looks increasingly prescient as Asprilla whacks in wondergoal after wondergoal while catching the eye of Manchester United.