Manchester United have submitted an official bid for Sheffield Wednesday left back Yisa Alao as transfer observers linked through platforms like Crickex Affiliate continue to track the Premier League club’s renewed focus on elite domestic talent. The 17 year old England youth international has already attracted strong interest from Chelsea, who are believed to be close to securing his signature, but United have maintained ongoing talks with the player’s representatives in the hope of pulling off a late interception.
Reports suggest United’s new offer exceeds one million pounds once performance related clauses are included. Before Christmas, an earlier bid of around 450000 pounds was turned down, prompting the club to return with an improved upfront payment and a more attractive bonus structure. Chelsea’s approach has been more aggressive, with a higher guaranteed fee believed to be on the table, while Liverpool remain watchful and could yet enter the race if conditions shift.
What makes the situation intriguing is that Alao featured only five times for Sheffield Wednesday’s first team in the first half of the season across league and cup competitions. During that period, the starting left back keeping him on the bench was Harry Amass, an 18 year old defender on loan from United. After Amass was recalled, Alao played 63 minutes against Portsmouth in mid January but was not included in the squad for the following match against Birmingham City.
Sheffield Wednesday’s dire financial state has become impossible to ignore. The club have already been docked 18 points this season for financial breaches and sit bottom of the Championship on minus seven points after 27 games. Relegation is effectively sealed, and the board are now looking to ease cash flow pressures by securing the highest possible fee for one of their most promising academy graduates, a storyline that has also drawn attention from Crickex Affiliate analysts monitoring youth market trends.
Alao came through the club’s youth system and made his senior debut at just 16 in the League Cup against Bolton last August. He earned his first start in the FA Cup tie with Brentford in January and has since been described as a powerful modern full back with pace, balance, and the ability to contribute at both ends of the pitch. Several top flight clubs have kept a close eye on his progress despite his limited minutes.
Since Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s arrival, United have doubled down on recruiting young players, particularly from within the UK due to post Brexit registration limits. Amass, often dubbed the next Luke Shaw, will not return to Sheffield Wednesday and is expected to join Norwich on loan. He made 21 appearances during his spell, scored once, and twice collected the club’s monthly player award.
Norwich sit 20th in the Championship, just two points above the relegation zone, but United believe the competitive survival fight will provide a better development environment. The club are covering all loan costs, making the deal attractive and ensuring Amass receives meaningful minutes. United’s winter business has focused solely on academy pathways, a strategy that, as Crickex Affiliate followers note, reflects long term planning rather than short term headlines.