13 July 2023 , 07:21
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Former Manchester United starlet Tahith Chong is edging towards a Premier League return - and could provide the Red Devils with a handy financial boost.
The Dutch winger is a product of the club’s youth academy after joining from Feyenoord as a teenager. He went on to make 16 senior appearances for United, whilst he also had loan spells with Werder Bremen and Club Brugge.
He was eventually sold to Championship side Birmingham City ahead of the 2021/22 season for a fee reported to be around £1.5m at the time. Since then, he has gone on to make 61 appearances for the Midlands side, scoring five goals.
It appears that he could be set for a return to the Premier League however. According to Sky Sports, the 23-year-old is set to undergo a medical with Luton Town as they attempt to bolster their squad following their promotion.
Birmingham boss John Eustace recently confirmed a deal is on the cards, whilst being full of praise for the United youngster. Asked if Chong could leave the club, he replied: “I believe so.
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“He’s come in and he’s been fantastic. He’s really developed throughout the season and in my opinion he’s developed really well. It’s what we want to do as a club, we want to develop the player. When we sign players we want them to move into the Premier League.
Tahith Chong is set to leave Birmingham for Luton (Getty Images)Is Tahith Chong a good signing for Luton? Share your thoughts in the comments below
“We want them to showcase themselves and he’s done that - it’s all part of what we do. That’s two players we’ve sold this year and it allows the club to bring other players in and help us grow.”
The deal to take Chong to Kenilworth Road is thought to be worth around £4m, whilst the Red Devils are due around £1m of that having slotted a 25 percent sell-on clause into the move that originally took him to Birmingham. He will be hopeful of proving his abilities in the Premier League after earning comparisons to United icon Ryan Giggs.
Former academy coach Ian Blackmore previously claimed: "The second I saw him [Chong] I said, 'We have got to get him'. The closest player I've seen to filling Ryan Giggs' boots was Angel Di Maria but Mr Van Gaal did not play him in the right position.
"He [Chong] could be the next one. He's playing on the wing, looking really good running with the ball as well like Ryan.
“He's done well since coming back from injury. He can go the distance. There are lots of pitfalls - keeping away from injury, not getting dragged down by the wrong people, knuckling down. He's come back from a really bad knee injury and the club have to look after him."
Chong could be reunited with his former side as Luton travel to take on United at Old Trafford in November, the return game at Kenilworth scheduled for February.
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