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DIM HAS BRIGHT FUTURE

Man United closing in on Champions League star after explosive start to the season

Switzerland Under-21 striker has hit three goals in Europe for Basel this term on loan from Red Bull Salzburg

JUVENTUS have joined Manchester United and Real Madrid in tracking Basel loan star Dimitri Oberlin.

The Switzerland Under-21 striker has turned heads with three goals and an assist in his four Champions League games this season.

Dimitri Oberlin is building a big list of admirers as he shines in the Champions League

EPA
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Dimitri Oberlin is building a big list of admirers as he shines in Europe

The Red Bull Salzburg starlet has thrived in temporary spells with their fellow Austrians SC Rheindorf Altach and now Swiss side Basel.

Cameroon-born Oberlin, 20, has hit six goals in all during his 15 games for Basel.

And calciomercato.com say Serie A champions Juve have jumped into the queue of his admirers.

United, though, are thought to have been snubbed by Oberlin when he was just 17.

Dimitri Oberlin has been a livewire for Swiss side Basel this season

Reuters
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Dimitri Oberlin has been a livewire for Swiss side Basel this season

Dimitri Oberlin has bagged three goals in four Champions League games this season

Getty - Contributor
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Dimitri Oberlin has bagged three goals in four Champions League games

He claimed he did not want to battle in the ranks alongside so many other talented youngsters at Old Trafford.

So instead he left FC Zurich for Salzburg.

Oberlin said at the time:  “The transfer almost happened.

“In the end I decided otherwise. My parents had allowed me to transfer, but I did not.

“I would have started at the Under-18s, the way into the first team would have been far.

“The competition would have been massive.”

Salzburg have loaned out Swiss Under-21 striker Dimitri Oberlin to Basel

EPA
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Salzburg have loaned out Swiss Under-21 striker Dimitri Oberlin to Basel

Juventus are also favourites to sign Liverpool’s Germany midfielder Emre Can, although Manchester City are now thought to be in the running too.

Real, meanwhile,  have been beset by talk of their players prioritising next summer’s World Cup finals in preference to reviving the wobbling European champions.

Zinedine Zidane’s men lie 11 points behind La Liga leaders Barcelona.

Main man Cristiano Ronaldo even responded to Real’s 3-1 Champions League loss away to Tottenham last week by insisting he did not want to renew his Bernabeu contract.

So Zidane will be hoping for a massive lift when fit-again Gareth Bale is sharp enough to return following five weeks out with a calf injury.