Man Utd scout Olympiacos wonderkid, 17, who’s already a European champion but face transfer battle for striker

MANCHESTER UNITED are scouting Olympiacos wonderkid Charalampos Kostoulas ahead of the January transfer window.

Kostoulas, 17, is considered by many as the next big thing in Greek football after a stunning campaign with his club’s Under-19s last season and his current success with the senior squad.

Manchester United are scouting Olympiacos wonderkid Charalampos KostoulasReuters

Man Utd sent scouts to watch Kostoulas during Olympiacos’ latest Europa League matchAP

SunSport can confirm that the striker’s impressive displays have led to interest from United who sent scouts to Piraeus to watch him in action against Twente in the Europa League last Thursday.

Reports from Greece suggest Bayern Munich, Juventus, Fiorentina and Borussia Monchengladbach are also keeping tabs on the Greece Under-21 international.

The same reports claim all the aforementioned clubs, bar Bayern, also sent representatives to watch the teenage sensation in action but SunSport can’t confirm at this time.

Nevertheless, Olympiacos have big plans for their young star as they will offer him a new contract once he turns 18 in May after becoming a key member of Jose Luis Mendilibar’s squad – his current deal runs out in 2026.

And those close to Kostoulas, who counts two goals and an assist in 10 league matches, want him to remain focused and enjoy the holidays with his loved ones without getting distracted from the transfer rumour mill.

The centre-forward put together a man-of-the-match performance during the goalless draw with Twente at Georgios Karaiskakis and even earned a penalty kick that Ayoub El Kaabi wasted.

The versatile forward, who can lead the attack but also cover the wings and play behind the centre-forward, has already made history despite his young career.

Kostoulas was part of Olympiacos’ reserve squad that won last season’s Uefa Youth League after beating AC Milan 3-0 in the final.

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Sotiris Sylaidopoulos’ side also defeated the likes of Inter Milan, Lens and Bayern on their way to becoming the first ever Greek club to win a European title last April.

The Under-19s completed that triumph one month before the seniors shocked the world and won the Europa Conference League by beating Fiorentina in the final that took place in Athens.

Kostoulas was a focal point for Olympiacos’ young side as he registered five goals and two assists in eight appearances in the Youth League

That led to Greek football chiefs awarding him as last season’s best young player in Greece’s second division, where Olympiacos’ B team compete.

Kostoulas has stood along with fellow Youth League champion Christos Mouzakitis, who recently became the youngest ever ace to play for Greece in a competitive game at 17 years, 10 months and 23 days old.

Man Utd have been investing a lot in young talent lately with the likes of Alejandro Garnacho, Kobbie Mainoo and Amad Diallo breaking into the starting line-up.