Manchester United are reportedly keeping a close eye on the development of Fluminense forward Kaua Elias.

The 18-year-old has already made 36 appearances for his current club, scoring six goals and registering two assists in the process, while he has an impressive record of nine goals in 12 outings for Brazil Under-17s.

According to GIVEMESPORT, Real Sociedad made an attempt to sign Elias during the recent transfer market, but the La Liga club's offer, thought to be in the region of €20m (£16.6m), was rejected by Fluminense.

The report claims that Man United are tracking the teenager, who is being tipped to move clubs in the near future, while Fulham are thought to have been scouting him for more than a year.

There is also said to be interest from Everton, Bayer Leverkusen and Napoli, with Fluminense thought to have told interested clubs that they would not consider offers of under €30m (£24.9m).

Man United 'in the race' for wonderkid Elias

Man United's transfer policy is now to target the best young players in world football, with new minority shareholder Sir Jim Ratcliffe determined to build a team for the future.

Elias came through the youth system at Fluminense, making his breakthrough into the first team last year, and he helped his current side win the 2023 Copa Libertadores.

The youngster's impressive record for Brazil Under-17s has allegedly put him on the radar of a number of interested clubs, while he is currently having a lot of exposure to first-team football.

There is no question that Elias fits the bill in terms of Man United's new transfer policy, but it remains to be seen whether the Red Devils are willing to spend the amount of money that Fluminense would require to let him leave.

Man United have struggled in the final third this season

Man United have only scored five times in their seven Premier League matches this season, with Southampton (four) the only side to have netted fewer in England's top flight during the 2024-25 campaign.

Joshua Zirkzee netted on his debut against Fulham, but the Netherlands international has now gone six league fixtures without a goal, while Rasmus Hojlund has not registered in his three Premier League outings this term.

The other four goals have come from Matthijs de Ligt, Amad Diallo, Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho, with no Red Devils player managing more than one league goal at this stage of the campaign.

Man United are believed to be open to signing another striker next summer, with an experienced option potentially arriving, even if it goes against their new line of thinking under Ratcliffe, as a lack of a genuine goalscorer is a real issue for the 20-time English champions at this moment in time.