FC Zurich striker Nishan Burkhart will join Manchester United in the summer, the player's father has revealed.
The Red Devils were interested in his services since last December after they were made aware of the teenager's promising abilities. They had competition from their league rivals as London clubs Arsenal and Chelsea were also in the race for his signature, reports the Express.
After several months of discussion, United were able to convince Burkhart's family that Old Trafford is the best place for the striker's development. Nishan, son for former athletes Stefan Burkhart and Helen Barnett Burkart will make a switch to England after the end of the current campaign.
"We have decided to leave the club in the summer. Nishan switches to Manchester United. He had different ideas," Stefan told Swiss publication, Blick.
Nishan is one of the brightest prospects at FC Zurich's academy and he was leading the Under 16 side this term. According to the Daily Mail, Nishan's playing style has seen him being compared to Arsenal forward and is dubbed as the “next Theo Walcott.”
His decision to leave his current employers has not gone well with the club president Ancillo Canepa. He admitted the player will no longer play for the Swiss outfit this season, but will be allowed to train with his teammates.
"Our U-16 player Nishan's family has decided to move their son to Manchester United," Canepa explained, as quoted by the Express.
"Therefore we decided not to use the player. Here we are concerned with the squad planning for next season."
"We want to make a place in the team available to a player who will play next season. But Nishan will continue to participate in team training."
The comments made by Canepa has not gone well with Nishan's father. Stefan expressed his disappointment after the striker, who was the FC Zurich Under 16 captain, was denied the opportunity to feature for them in the remaining fixtures this term.
"This reaction by Mr Canepa disappointed us. We would have liked a more dignified exit. It makes me feel as if we have offended them. They could indeed be proud as Zurich do not posses many 16-year-old who has received a dozen requests from top foreign clubs," Nishan's father explained.
