Manchester United Lead Race for Ajax Teen Mokio

Manchester United have emerged as frontrunners in the pursuit of Ajax's highly rated 17-year-old Belgian international Jorthy Mokio, as the versatile midfielder considers a move away from the Dutch club amid growing speculation about his future.

Mokio, a left-footed player capable of operating as a central midfielder or in defensive roles including left-back and center-back, has impressed in his breakthrough season at Ajax. Since joining the Amsterdam club on a free transfer from Gent in the summer of 2024, he has made 29 appearances across all competitions, scoring two goals. This campaign alone, he has featured 11 times, including three outings in the Champions League, establishing himself as a first-team regular at a young age. Capped once by Belgium's senior national team, Mokio has drawn comparisons to N'Golo Kante for his defensive prowess, ranking in the 99th percentile for blocks per 90 minutes and the 84th percentile for clearances among midfielders over the past year.

Ajax officials are actively seeking to extend Mokio's contract, which runs until June 2027, but the teenager harbors doubts about the club's current sporting direction and is eager to take the next step...