Leicester & Burnley ‘interested’ in Man Utd star linked with Everton & Leeds switch

Leicester City have lined up Manchester United winger Amad as a potential replacement for Harvey Barnes, according to reports.

The Foxes attacker is being linked with a move to Newcastle United, Aston Villa or West Ham Ham United, with Enzo Maresca keen on bringing Amad to the King Power Stadium on loan when Barnes departs. However, the Daily Mail claim Leicester will face competition from Burnley and Sheffield United for the Ivorian’s signature after he impressed in the Championship last season with Sunderland.

The Black Cats would like Amad to return to the North-East this campaign, as per iNews, who also state the United protegee has attracted interest from Southampton, Everton and Leeds United. The outlet add that Erik ten Hag needs ‘further time’ to make a decision on whether Amad could be shipped out on loan again, and he is expected to be part of the Red Devils’ squad that travels to the USA on tour later this week.

Amad started and put in a good display as Ten Hag’s side beat Leeds 2-0 in last week’s first pre-season friendly of the summer, and the forward is expected to be involved once again when United take on Lyon in Edinburgh on Wednesday. From there, the squad jet off to the States, where they will face Arsenal, Wrexham, Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund before the end of the month.

Meanwhile, Amad faces stiff competition for places in the wide areas at United, with Antony, Alejandro Garnacho, Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford ahead of him in the pecking order. Facundo Pellistri, Anthony Elanga, Shola Shoretire and Noam Emeran also offer youthful options for Ten Hag to select from if required, which has led to hope among opposition sides that a loan move for Amad could materialise.

The 21-year-old’s transfer to United was confirmed in 2020 but the highly rated talent has only featured nine times for the Red Devils since. He spent the second half of 2021/22 on loan at Rangers but made a much bigger impact at the Stadium of Light last term, netting 14 in 42 as the Black Cats finished in the play-off places.