The race for young striker Richmond Boakye is hotting up with Genoa keen to ensure the 18-year-old returns to the Rossoblu at the end of the current campaign.

Boakye is on loan with Serie B side Sassuolo and has taken the Italian second tier by storm. This has brought the Ghana-born hitman to the attention of Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, who has ensured the Red Devils keep tabs on Boakye.

And with the English giants monitoring the situation and Sassuolo having the option to make the striker’s switch a permanent one, Genoa are growing concerned; Juventus have also been linked with the player.

"The boy is at Sassuolo on loan with the right to buy", Sassuolo general manager Nereus Bonato told Ilsussidiario.

"But Genoa still have the right to own him, so definitely we’ll sit down and talk with the management of Genoa in June and see what we can do."

And Bonato insisted that the Serie B club are delighted with how Boakye has settled in Modena.

"We are very satisfied with him and he’s integrated well and is a good guy who is showing great commitment, even in training.

"He’s a good guy who can go very far, it’s worthwhile to work with him."