The summer 2026 transfer window is nine months from opening, yet already, Manchester United have agreed a deal for an exciting wonderkid.
This week has seen Ineos secure a deal for the latest young talent in their push to sign wonderkid gems for cheap fees across the globe.
Manchester United are set to welcome 17-year-old Colombian midfielder Cristian Orcozo to the club next summer, once he turns 18.
The story emerged from nowhere, but now United have agreed to sign Orcozo from his club Fortaleza in Colombia, where he is rated as one of the country’s best up-and-coming footballers.
United fans are excited by Orcozo, and in a similar vein to Diego Leon, he is set to arrive in Manchester next summer, meaning we can keep an eye on his development over the coming campaign.
Now, it has emerged that signing the teenager is in line with United’s wider recruitment strategy.
Photo by LUIS ACOSTA/AFP via Getty ImagesCristian Orcozo is a prime example of Manchester United’s recruitment strategy
It is another signing by Ineos, which is hugely exciting and expected to cost around £750,000, which could be an absolute steal if he manages to reach his potential.
Orcozo has been described as a fierce midfielder, while clips of him in action also show composed passing as he dictates play from the number six role.
Orcozo follows Leon, Ayden Heaven, and Sekou Kone as bargain youngsters who have potential to be excellent, and now Ben Jacobs has told The United Stand that the transfer was driven by Christopher Vivell.
“This is a move driven by Christopher Vivell, and more broadly, there’s a desire from the Manchester United hierarchy to break into new and to some extent emerging markets.”
Vivell is United’s head of recruitment and arrived with a reputation for signing high-potential young players from various countries around the world, something he is bringing to Old Trafford.
Over the coming years will be when United will begin to benefit from this; however, right now it is undeniably exciting.
Manchester United’s future midfield options are very exciting
Adding Orcozo to an already full-to-the-brim academy midfield group can only be a good thing, as cream rises to the top.
Orcozo could be a long-term Casemiro replacement as the 17-year-old appears to be a physical midfielder who could blossom into a destroyer for Amorim.
Kone is another player who will be competing with Orcozo, as will Kobbie Mainoo, Jim Thwaites, Amir Ibragimov, Tyler Fletcher, and Jayce Fitzgerald over the coming years.
With so many elite talents, we should expect that at least one or two will live up to their potential, which right now looks sky high.
Continuing to add options and talents is the correct plan by Ineos, raising the bar required, which will only further inspire the existing youngsters to work harder.