Ex-England captain urges former club to sign Brighton starlet as Atletico Madrid show interest

LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 01: Tariq Lamptey of Brighton & Hove Albion in action during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Brighton & Hove Albion at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on November 01, 2020 in London, England.

Former England captain Wayne Rooney has urged Manchester United to sign Brighton starlet Tariq Lamptey – according to reports.

Brighton signed Lamptey, 20, on a three-and-a-half-year deal last January, picking the Englishman up for just £3m from Chelsea.

But Spanish media outlet Mundo Deportivo are reporting that Rooney – currently at Championship strugglers Derby County – is impressed with the Albion full-back, who has performed exceptionally for Graham Potter this season.

Indeed, it has been said that England’s record goal-scorer has urged the Red Devils to consider a move for Lamptey to strengthen Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side after a tough start to the season.

Manchester United, however, will reportedly face competition from Spanish giants Atletico Madrid.

Diego Simeone is apparently also keen on Lamptey, who has scored one goal and bagged one assist in eight league games so far this campaign.

Mundo Deportivo also claims Brighton have no plans to sell Lamptey given the defender’s impressive start to life at the Amex Stadium.