Manchester United are closing in on a deal for Palmeiras winger Gabriel Veron.

What's the word?

According to Spanish publication Sport, as relayed by The Sun, the Red Devils are leading the race for Veron, 18, who is currently plying his trade at Copa Libertadores finalists Palmeiras.

Veron has made 17 top-flight appearances so far this season and has three goals and two assists to show for his seven starts, with the Big Greens currently fifth in the table just outside the top four at the halfway point of the campaign.

It's claimed the teenager's form has caught the attention of a number of clubs, although it is United who are leading the chase.

Ideal Daniel James upgrade?

Veron joined Palmeiras' youth setup in 2017, signing his first professional contract with the club just one year later. Since then, he has bagged ten goals and five assists in 34 appearances across all competitions, via Transfermarkt.

With Daniel James tipped to leave Old Trafford and Juan Mata approaching the twilight of his career, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's need for a right winger has arguably never been greater, especially considering Mason Greenwood's struggles in recent weeks.

Readers won't need reminding that the Red Devils' right wing problems are well-documented and readers won't need reminding that United and Ed Woodward missed out on signing Jadon Sancho last summer as they failed to reach an agreement with Borussia Dortmund.

But Veron - not to be confused with Juan Sebastian Veron - could be a more direct replacement for James. His competitive instincts and combative nature have allowed him to flourish under Abel Ferreira and an average of just shy of one tackle per game this season shows his style of play.

Only four Palmeiras players have averaged more dribbles per game in the Brasileirão this season; he currently averages more dribbles per match than Mata and Greenwood, per WhoScored.

Last season, the ace bagged three goals and one assist in seven games in the Copa Libertadores. That's more than James has managed in ten appearances in all competitions this season.

It's hard to find flaws in Solskjaer's side but if there's one area they urgently need to address, it's the lack of goals on the right wing. Greenwood, Mata and James have managed to score just seven goals between them this season so far, per Transfermarkt.

Valued at £22m via Transfermarkt, Veron, who was described as an "enormous talent" by former Brazil international Bebeto, could finally be the solution to their problems out wide.

AND in other news, Manchester United’s Mason Greenwood was disappointing against Fulham...