Manchester United agree transfer deal for ‘the next Yaya Toure’ -Report

Manchester United agree transfer deal for ‘the next Yaya Toure’ -Report

One of the Under-17s World Cup’s most promising prospects is expected to join Manchester United.

Sekou Kone, a highly regarded midfield player from Mali, has agreed to join Manchester United from a club in his native nation.

The Athletic reports that United has reached an agreement with Guidars FC and views 18-year-old Kone as a future first-team defensive midfield option; nevertheless, he will currently play for the United junior team.

Manchester United is believed to have won the race for Kone’s signature despite interest from rivals in the Premier League and throughout Europe, for an initial cost of £1.2 million with possible future add-ons.

‘Next Yaya Toure’ Sekou Kone set for Manchester United move
Kone shone for Mali at the under-17s World Cup last year, where Mali got to the semi-finals and took the lead against France before being overturned in a 2-1 defeat. Mali subsequently beat Argentina 3-0 in the third-place play-off.

talkSPORT add that the teenager’s influential and well-rounded performances have led to a lot of excitement in the African football scene, with Kone compared to a young Yaya Toure.

They add that United have held off interest from Red Bull Salzburg, Crystal Palace and Wolverhampton Wanderers to land Kone, who they have been scouting for quite some time

Premier League clubs can no longer agree transfer deals with player aged under 18, however, so United were unable to make their move in the January transfer window: Kone only turned 18 in February.

Kone previously trained at JMG Academy in Mali, whose graduates include Tottenham Hotspur and RB Leipzig midfielders Yves Bissouma and Amadou Haidara. The latter has previously been linked with United.

This summer United have announced Bologna’s Joshua Zirkzee, Lille’s Leny Yoro and Bayern Munich pair Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui as new signings