Man Utd could eye up five Olympic stars including 6ft4 goal machine and £50m Spurs target

In Paris, there are some potential diamonds Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag could snap up this summer.

Many may not have noticed because it kicked off before the Olympic Games opening ceremony, but the football has already started in the French capital. Unlike the European Championship or Copa America, the football event is capped at Under-23 players, with only three 'over-age' exemptions being allowed for each nation.

While many big names may not be involved, it provides a platform for talented youngsters or players who are not able to get into their national team. And there are plenty competing in the Games who could add immediate value to Ten Hag's squad.

Mirror Football has a look at five Olympic stars the Red Devils could potentially target in the summer.

Desire Doue

If United are interested in the Rennes forward, they may have to fight off competition from Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur. Doue earned his place in the French squad by contributing four goals and six assists in 43 appearances for the Ligue 1 giants.

Bayern Munich are understood to have already seen a £29m offer be turned down. Ten Hag's options on the wing are limited, particularly with Jadon Sancho's future still uncertain and Antony continuing to struggle.

Tottenham reportedly hold a huge interest in the promising 19-year-old, who has two international caps for Les Bleus U23s side. If United do become interested, they may need to act quickly.

Samuel Omorodion

He is young, 6ft 4in and looks hungry to cause havoc - Samuel Omorodion could lead Ten Hag's line or be the ultimate Plan B. Ten Hag leant on Wout Weghorst over the course of his first season and the gangly Dutchman helped bring out the best in United's other forward options.

Omorodion could play a similar role to Weghorst while also offering so much more. While on loan at Alaves from Atletico Madrid last season, the 20-year-old scored eight goals and contributed one assist in La Liga – an impressive return for a young forward.

He has a big future ahead. And the Olympics could be his opportunity to make his name on a big stage.

Alex Baena

He is considered to be one of Villarreal's most promising academy prospects in years, Alex Baena is an exciting player to look out for. The Spaniard is a talented playmaker who contributed 14 assists for the La Liga giants last season - only Alejandro Grimaldo and Nico Williams contributed more in the top five leagues in Europe.

If United are to lose Bruno Fernandes, as some reports have claimed is possible, Baena could be the perfect replacement for the Portuguese international. However, if they did hang on to their captain, Baena could potentially play in midfield with Fernandes.

He can dictate play from deep positions or play across the forward line where he can also make late runs into the penalty area. But he will not come cheap as Villarreal reportedly value him at around £50m.

Fermin Lopez

United reportedly lodged a bid of around £25m for Fermin Lopez, who scored eight goals in 31 appearances for Barcelona last season. Lopez was also part of the Spain squad that won Euro 2024, but he only made one appearance from the bench in Luis de la Fuente's side 1-0 victory over Albania.

However, the Olympics could be the perfect springboard for his career. Lopez is a versatile attacker who can play on the left, behind the striker or even within the midfield three. The 21-year-old has been at Barcelona since 2016, where he moved from the Real Betis youth development system into Barcelona's famed La Masia.

But his future is uncertain amid Barcelona's pursuit of Nico Williams and their other links to Dani Olmo. With the club still struggling with their finances, they may be convinced to part with the young Spaniard as a means for raising funds. If Ten Hag rates Lopez, Barcelona's situation could play into United's hands.

Achraf Hakimi

Of course, Achraf Hakimi cannot be considered as a young prospect, but he is exactly what United need. As the captain of Morocco's Olympic squad, Hakimi is one of the highest profile players at the Games.

United struggled in the full-back areas last season as injuries and inconsistent performances from Diogo Dalot and Aaron Wan-Bissaka meant they were missing sharpness at both ends of the pitch. With Wan-Bissaka's future currently uncertain as a result of interest from the likes of West Ham United and Inter Milan, Hakimi would be a perfect replacement.

He brings experience, leadership qualities and pace at both ends of the pitch. Moreover, now could be the time for United to launch a bid, as he only has two years left on his contract at Paris Saint-Germain. As they have already watched Mbappe depart the club on a free transfer, the Parisians would not want the same to happen again. United are, however, interesred in other right-back options such as Bayern Munich's Noussair Mazraoui and Inter's Denzel Dumfries.