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Manchester United manager David Moyes is ready to rival former club Everton in the chase to sign Darikwa, who has Zimbabwean parents. Moyes made a personal scouting mission to watch Darikwa in Saturday’s game against Fleetwood and will step up his interest after first becoming aware of the 21-year-old at his old club.
Darikwa has emerged as one of the most coveted youngsters in the lower leagues and Chesterfield’s chief executive Chris Turner insists the league two club will demand a significant transfer fee for the midfielder.
Chesterfield are expected to seek well over £1 million for Darikwa in a deal that will shatter the £750,000 they banked for Kevin Davies from Southampton in 1997.
Everton have maintained their interest since Moyes’s departure to Old Trafford and Turner admitted today that bids are expected in the January transfer window.
He said: “Tendayi is attracting a lot of attention and there is no doubt in our minds that he will go on to play at a higher level.
“For a manager of Manchester United to come and watch a League Two game just shows that David has his finger on the pulse. I know when he was Everton they regularly watched Tendayi so you would assume he knows all about the best young players in the lower leagues.
“I knew David was coming to the game because I’d spoken to him before, although we didn’t mention individuals. Having said that, Tendayi did have an exceptional game on Saturday so he can’t have failed to notice him anyway.
“There are many clubs from the Premier League and Championship showing interest and while we would love to keep him we won’t be standing in his way if we receive an offer that suits both parties.
“It will take far more than the fee we received for Kevin Davies, that’s for sure. I don’t like putting valuations on players but we have a figure in our head and obviously we have financial factors to consider.”
Darikwa joined Chesterfield as a 16-year-old after unsuccessful spells with Nottingham Forest and Notts County and signed a three-year deal last year.
He has established himself as a regular under manager Paul Cook and played a key role in helping take Chesterfield to the top of League Two this season.
Turner said: “He was actually on loan at Hinckley United last year and we had to recall him so he could make his league debut against Notts County – he was man of the match in that game and has just made massive strides ever since.
“He’s versatile, he can play in defence or midfield, and he’s a tremendous athlete. He is going to go all the way.” – The Telegraph.
Online Reporter