Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur are both monitoring one of the standout young players in Belgian football ahead of the summer transfer window. According to a report from Fussball Daten, the two Premier League clubs have sent scouts to watch Anderlecht midfielder Nathan De Cat in action, with a potential deal in the region of €35 million cited as the expected asking price. Anderlecht are understood to be open to seriously considering offers around that figure, which would make it a record sale for a teenage player in Belgium.
Manchester United and Tottenham Send Scouts to Watch Anderlecht’s 17-Year-Old Sensation Nathan De Cat
Born in Vilvoorde in the summer of 2008, De Cat is just 17 years old and stands at six feet and three inches tall. Following in the footsteps of Vincent Kompany, Romelu Lukaku, and Youri Tielemans, he emerged from Anderlecht’s celebrated academy system and has since forced his way into their first team. The central midfielder has scored three goals and provided five assists across 36 first-team appearances so far this season, numbers that reflect real impact for a teenager in his maiden senior campaign.
United scouts were specifically present in Bruges to watch De Cat against Club Brugge, a match in which he scored Anderlecht’s opener in a 2-2 draw. He was named Man of the Match in that fixture after a commanding first half, though he remained self-critical about the result afterwards, describing it as a missed opportunity for his side. His composure in high-pressure moments at 17 is the sort of quality that does not go unnoticed at the top end of European scouting.
De Cat has drawn comparisons to Declan Rice and has openly acknowledged Rice as one of his primary footballing role models, alongside Rodri of Manchester City. At the international level, De Cat represented Belgium’s Under-17 side and was named in the Team of the Tournament at the 2025 UEFA European Under-17 Championship, where Belgium reached the semi-finals. He also featured in The Guardian’s 2025 list of the 60 best young talents in world football.
De Cat is set to enter the final year of his contract at Anderlecht, with no renewal currently imminent, and that contractual situation makes this summer a decisive one for both parties.
Does United’s Pressing Need Give Them the Edge Over Spurs in the Race for De Cat?
Purely on need, Manchester United need De Cat more urgently. Casemiro is set to leave Old Trafford on a free transfer this summer, and Manuel Ugarte is also expected to depart, leaving United needing to bring in two central midfielders at once. That is a serious void to fill in one window. Tottenham’s situation is less acute by comparison, and at €35 million, De Cat represents an investment in the future rather than an immediate fix for either club.
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Realistically, United should not sign a 17-year-old as their primary midfield solution; they need proven starters. De Cat is better suited as a long-term signing, and Spurs, if they offer him a clearer pathway to regular minutes, might actually be better for his development at this stage. United will likely pursue senior options first and revisit De Cat as a secondary move. Spurs look the likelier destination if they move decisively.
