Who is Kevin Filling, 16-year-old striker Man Utd are in 'concrete negotiations' for

Manchester United might just be about to add even more firepower to their youth ranks as they are reported to be in concrete negotiations for the transfer of Kevin Filling.

Having already signed Chido Obi from Arsenal to turbocharge their youth ranks with some proven quality, Kevin Filling could be the next on the list.

The 16-year-old striker has already played senior football for AIK in the Swedish Premier Division, and a deal could potentially be done as early as January.

A reported asking price of about £2m will be a smart investment at this stage of the player’s career. Here’s all you need to know about the youngster.

Who is Kevin Filling?

As noted above, Kevin Filling is a 16-year-old striker who plays for AIK in the Swedish Premier Division – Allsvenskan.

He came through the youth system of Vasteras, so he will have some connection to Man Utd, since Victor Lindelof came through the same system.

Filling caught the eye of the footballing world this season when he scored on his senior debut for AIK against IFK Goteborg.

An injury kept him out of action since, but he has returned to make seven league appearances this season, adding another goal to his tally.

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Standing at just over 6ft at just 16, he has the physical tools to play senior football already, and that should only improve further in the next two years.

Filling’s style of play

Despite his imposing physique, Filling is deceptively silky on the ball, regularly using feints and tricks to go past his man instead of relying on strength.

He regularly drops deep to facilitate play as well, with his long passes an underrated trait.

In terms of a senior comparison, he reminds slightly of a more bulked-up Alexander Isak, to borrow from his Swedish roots.

It goes without saying that he has a long way to go still, but he has all the raw tools and skills that can be polished to make him a complete striker in the future.

As a right-footed player, he often also occupies the left half-space, from where he cuts inside and unleashes curlers at the far post.

The sample size in senior football for Filling is extremely small, so it wouldn’t be wise to pass a firm judgement on his potential, but his domination in youth ranks hasn’t been solely down to physicality, which is a huge green flag.

Kevin Filling to Man Utd?

Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg reports that United are in ‘concrete negotiations’ for Filling, hoping to secure his signature ahead of other interested clubs, of which there are many.

The mooted fee of £2m won’t be a problem, but United will have to navigate the difficulties of Brexit.

Under the rules, United can’t welcome a non-EU player to their club until he turns 18, which means the earliest Filling can join is January 2027, since he turns 18 in November 2026.

United can explore the option they did with Diego Leon, where they signed the player but left him at his parent club until he turned 18.

There’s also the option of loaning Filling to Lausanne in Switzerland, another Ineos-owned club, but they already have Enzo Kana-Biyik from United who plays the same position.

That’s something for the future, though, as United are focused on winning the race for another highly-rated wonderkid despite tough competition.

Ineos deserve credit for championing this one change at the club.

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