Man Utd plot bid for ‘next Michael Ballack’ but face issue that Liverpool faced

Manchester United have reportedly identified Christoph Baumgartner as a future transfer target, but could face difficulty in signing him from Hoffenheim.

The Red Devils are continuing their policy of signing young players with an eye towards the future, as they did with Amad Diallo, Facundo Pellistri and Donny van de Beek.

And reports suggest they’ve already identified their next target, with Baumgartner eyed up ahead of a future bid.

The Sun claims United are leading the way for the midfield wonderkid, though there are a number of other Premier League teams interested.

However, they could run into a same issue that Liverpool faced in negotiations with Hoffenheim.

The Bundesliga side are famously tough negotiators, having managed to sell Roberto Firmino to the Reds for £29million.

While that deal represents good value upon reflection, as the Brazilian has scored 83 goals while winning the Premier League and Champions League in recent years, it was viewed as an expensive fee at the time.

And United will likely have to pay a significantly large fee in order to steal Baumgartner away from Hoffenheim.

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The 21-year-old central midfielder is widely regarded as one of the best Austrian prospects in recent years.

He made his debut for Hoffenheim aged just 19 when Julian Nagelsmann was at the helm.

Baumgartner scored seven goals in 26 appearances in his first full season with the club.

His playing style has seen him compared to Germany legend Michael Ballack due to his midfield qualities.

Baumgartner can play either in the middle of the park or out on the left wing, though his favoured position is as a number eight.

While it seems unlikely they will move for him this month, an offer at the end of the season is possible.

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