Man Utd ready to sign Europe's next €100m wonderkid

Cameron Smith

15 Mar 2026 14:05 CDT
4 min read

Manchester United are reportedly among the clubs interested in signing Anderlecht wonderkid Nathan De Cat during the upcoming summer transfer window.

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The 17-year-old has enjoyed a breakout campaign in the Belgian Pro League and he is being watched by a host of elite European clubs ahead of a potential move following the conclusion of the 2025-26 season.

Current ETV

Nathan De Cat

M, DM (C)

Anderlecht

Nathan De Cat

M, DM (C)

Anderlecht

ETV Range

€3.7M - €5.5M

De Cat, a central midfielder, has scored three goals and provided five assists in 36 first-team games so far this term, and he has been tipped to become the next Anderlecht wonderkid to leave the club for a sizeable transfer fee.

Jeremy Doku remains Anderlecht’s all-time record sale, courtesy of his €26 million move to Stade Rennais in 2020, but De Cat could usurp the Manchester City winger this summer and given the transfer fees associated with young players, it wouldn’t be a surprise if he is valued at €100m within the next few seasons.

Man Utd and Tottenham Hotspur have both sent scouts to watch the teenager in action in recent weeks, while Aston Villa, Bayer Leverkusen, Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, Brighton & Hove Albion and RB Leipzig are also interested in finalising a deal.

That is according to FussballDaten, who report that a fee of around €35m will be required to secure De Cat’s signature this summer. The 17-year-old’s current deal at Anderlecht is due to expire in 2027 and a sale is therefore expected to take place this summer if the Belgian giants receive a suitable bid.

🐈‍⬛ | De vijandige sfeer van de thuisfans? Nathan De Cat raakt er niet van onder de indruk. 😏🧊 #CLUAND

Bekijk de samenvattingen van de wedstrijden van gisteren in de #JPL NU in de DAZN-app! 📲 pic.twitter.com/SY89g2sef6
— DAZN België (@DAZN_BENL) March 9, 2026

Man Utd’s summer transfer plan revealed

Although Man Utd are interested in De Cat, the teenager is unlikely to become the club’s replacement for the departing Casemiro given his age and lack of experience at the top level of European football.

As a result, they will still be required to sign another central midfielder this summer, in addition to De Cat, with the club eyeing potential moves for Premier League stars Elliot Anderson, Adam Wharton, Carlos Baleba, Joao Gomes and Alex Scott ahead of the 2026-27 season.

Man Utd are also expected to purchase a new left winger later this year, with Marcus Rashford set to join Barcelona on a permanent deal following his loan spell at Camp Nou this term.

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