Manchester United have joined Real Madrid in holding an interest in highly rated Sporting Lisbon winger Gelson Martins, according to Portuguese daily Record

The 21-year-old is a product of Sporting Lisbon's famed youth academy and has caught the eye with his performances for the club's senior side, for whom he made his debut in August 2015.




He impressed Real Madrid when turning out at the Bernabeu for Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League, playing his part as his side were just edged out by the Spanish giants 2-1.

Martins played 70 minutes of the group stage encounter, but it is not just Real Madrid who are alive to his potential.
 


Indeed, Manchester United are now also taking a closer look at the winger and could well find themselves involved in a battle with Real Madrid for his services.

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Sporting Lisbon will not be keen to lose Martins so soon after his senior bow, especially as the 21-year-old has now established himself at the club under boss Jorge Jesus.

So far this season Martins has made a total of seven appearances in all competitions for the Portuguese giants, scoring twice and providing his team-mates with five assists.

Martins is locked down on a contract running until the summer of 2021 and with Sporting Lisbon's Champions League campaign having only just begun, will have further opportunities to shine in the coming months.