A number of senior Manchester United players are reportedly surprised that the club has not tied 17-year-old Deji Sotona down to a new contract yet.

The youngster has been eligible for a professional deal since celebrating his 17th birthday in December, but he remains on a scholarship as things stand.

Other clubs could therefore look to poach him by offering him a contract and would only be obliged to pay United a compensation fee rather than a transfer fee.

The Athletic reports that a number of Bundesliga clubs are interested in Sotona, having identified him as a candidate to become the next young English player who could generate a significant profit.

United's senior players are understood to have been particularly impressed with Sotona's pace after he was clocked at 22.9mph during first-team tests in September.

The forward has been a regular for United's Under-18s team this season and is a Republic of Ireland youth international.