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Manchester United face a fierce battle with Europe’s elite to sign 18-year-old forward Juan Riquelme Angulo, according to transfer expert Ben Jacobs.

“The Next Big Thing”

Angulo is considered one of the standout prospects in South America after bursting onto the scene for Independiente del Valle, one of the powerhouses in Ecuadorian football.

Nicknamed El Matagigantes (The Giant-Killers), Independiente’s academy is a hotbed for young talent, with Chelsea duo Moises Caicedo – a player United came agonisingly close to signing – and Kendry Paez having been signed from the club.

Arsenal full-back Piero Hincapie and Paris Saint-Germain centre-back William Pacho also hail from Independiente, with both defenders having shone in the Champions League this season.

More recently, three other highly-rated prospects to leave for Europe in the last year are:

• Deinner Ordonez (16, CB) – Sold to Chelsea, due to join in 2028
• Edwin Quintero (16, RW) and Holger Quintero (16, AM) – Twins, sold to Arsenal, due to join in 2027
• Johan Martinez (16, LW) – Sold to Newcastle, due to join in 2028

Angulo is the Ecuadorian club’s latest offering: a 6’3 striker with a potent pairing of speed and strength that lends...