Powell heads to Old Trafford

Crewe Alexandra forward Nick Powell has as expected sealed a dream move to Manchester United.

The deal could eventually be worth up to £6m for the eighteen-year-old England youth international, with an initial down payment of around half that amount and the rest based on appearances.

Powell netted sixteen times last season, including the dramatic Wembley strike against Cheltenham Town in the play-off final. That led to a number of leading clubs chasing his services, with the likes of Liverpool and Arsenal also understood to be amongst his admirers.

"It's been ongoing - these things don't seem to happen very quickly," manager Steve Davis confirmed to the Crewe Chronicle. "When you've got a player moving to a top club there's a lot of talks and both parties have to be satisfied. The talks have been very good."

The departure of Powell should see increased senior opportunities for fellow England youth international Max Clayton, who has already received a ringing endorsement from Davis.

"If he moves on we've got Max, who will more than soften the blow because I think he will become a better player than Nick," he added.

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