Atalanta captain Papu Gomez isn't surprised young teammate Amad Traore is attracting big transfer interest.

The 18 year-old winger is being linked with Manchester United this week.

And amid interest from United, team-mate Papu Gomez has compared his young team-mate with six-time Ballon d'Or winner Messi.

The Atalanta favourite, 32, said on an Instagram Live: "He plays like Messi.

"There are defenders in the first-team that sometimes cannot stop him. To stop him in training, we have to kick him."

According to the Manchester Evening News, United are keen on the Ivorian winger.

But they do NOT see him as an alternative to Borussia Dortmund star Jadon Sancho.