This article is part of Football FanCast's Transfer Focus series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent transfer news...

According to FC Inter News, Manchester United are interested in Inter starlet Lorenzo Pirola after sending scouts to watch him in action.

What's the word?

The 17-year-old is currently at the U17 World Cup with Italy at the moment, and he has helped his country reach the knockout stages after impressive victories against Mexico and the Solomon Islands.

Now, FC Inter News claim the Red Devils are set to be involved in a transfer war with arch-rivals Manchester City over securing Pirola's signature. The report claims that representatives from both sides have attended the group stage games to run the rule over the young defender.

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It further adds that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side have been keeping an eye on him for much longer, and that Inter will not be prepared to let him go without putting up a fight.

Progress

Make no mistake about it, following Pirola's development in view to a future move shows real signs of progress in the recruitment department for United. When was the last time a virtually unknown, promising quantity arrived at Old Trafford? Signing the teenager would be evidence that the club are casting their net further and wider in search of securing young talents who may not be on every European giants' radar.

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The Italian's stock only continues to get higher following his inclusion in this summer's team of the tournament for the U17 EUROs. And, after scoring against Paraguay in the World Cup, his name will be beginning to get a lot of recognition. If United can fend off competition from their noisy neighbours and sign the highly-coveted prospect, then it will be great proof that they are heading in the right direction with their recruitment strategy.