Manchester United scout Racing Genk youngster Leon Bailey amid rival Premier League interest

Manchester United are reportedly interested in Racing Genk attacker Leon Bailey. The 19-year-old has impressed this season in Belgium and United scouts are tracking his progress.

United have watched him several times in the last few weeks and are ready to leap ahead of rival bidders to seal a deal for the highly-rated youngster, according to ESPN. Jim Lawlor, the chief scout at Old Trafford, watched Bailey score for Genk in last week's 3-1 Europa League win over Sassuolo.

Lawlor is also reported to have been present when the Jamaican bagged a brace last month in the 3-2 defeat to Rapid Vienna. Bailey's impressive progress has seen him become on of the most sought-after young players in European football, with the likes of Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool rumoured to be interested.

The teenager was named the best young player in Belgium last year and was recently included on the 40-strong shortlist for the 2016 Golden Boy award. Genk are said to be bracing themselves for interest in Bailey when the transfer window opens in January.

It was recently reported that United boss Jose Mourinho is unlikely to delve into the January transfer market in 2017, having already spent an eye-watering sum of money during the summer window. The Red Devils signed Eric Bailly, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Paul Pogba during a busy few months at Old Trafford.

Despite the club's slow start to the Premier League season, Mourinho is unlikely to recruit more players in January, according to the Daily Mail. During previous winter windows, United signed the likes of Juan Mata, Nemanja Vidic and Patrice Evra – but a repeat of similar deals is apparently unlikely.