Manchester United and Tottenham ready to step up interest in young Real Madrid striker

Manchester United and Tottenham are reportedly ready to step up their interest in 16-year-old Real Madrid striker Pedro Ruiz, according to the Independent.

The forward has come to attentions of a number of English clubs because of his goalscoring exploits for his club and Spain Under-16s, but they would have to convince him that a move to the Premier League would be more beneficial than the lucrative contract offer that is likely to be on the table from Los Blancos.

Southampton and Everton have also sent scouts to watch the young attacker, but it is thought that if he was to leave the Bernabeu, he would only leave for a club of similar stature, with United at the front of the queue.

Ruiz, who only turned 16 a month ago, had been part of the Real Betis youth setup from the age of eight until last year, when he made the move to the Spanish capital.