Willy Kambwala is a young player who may have a big future

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Amid Manchester United’s bigger moves on transfer deadline day was a move for young talent Willy Kambwala.

Kambwala, 16, signed from Sochaux and will go into United’s under-18 side.

The youngster is the first French centre-back United have brought into the academy since a failed move for Dayot Upamecano in 2015.

France Football reported how a 16-year-old Upamecano visited United ahead of a possible move five years ago.

United botched the deal despite his visit to Carrington, and the centre-back has gone onto become one of the most sought-after players in football.

Missing out on Upamecano was clearly an error, especially given how close he was to signing.

That is why the move for Kambwala should not be dismissed as unimportant.

The 16-year-old has captained France at under-17 level and United paid a seven-figure fee to secure his services.

RMC Sport report United paid £3.6 million to Sochaux to land the teenager.

There are no guarantees with any young player that they will go on to become a success. But it is good that United continue to try.

This summer there has been an aggressive pursuit of young players for the academy from across Europe, with nine signed in total, six from abroad and three domestically.

Kambwala can help fill a void left in the academy by Teden Mengi, who has quickly progressed to the first team at just 18.

The same fast-track may be presented to him if he can prove his quality in his first couple of years in Manchester for the club’s academy sides.

By that time there is a chance the real Dayot Upamecano could be playing for United, with the club among many who are keen on paying the release clause in his RB Leipzig contract. In the mean time, he will go up against United twice in the Champions League group stages over the next few months.

If Upamecano is snapped up by another team, or renews with Leipzig, then United will hope the decision to invest in youth eventually pays off.

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