Manchester United are set to wrap up a deal for Mali wonderkid Sekou Kone before the transfer deadline.
Sekou Kone is the future star heading to Manchester United’s academy, with a view to stepping up to the first team.
French journalist Loic Tanzi has claimed Kone is due in Manchester to conclude his move to the club shortly.
Sekou Kone deal worked on for months
Manchester United’s agreement for Sekou Kone was revealed a few days ago, seemingly out of nowhere.
But it was not totally out of the blue. German journalist Christoph Michel reported in early July that Manchester United were competing to sign Kone, with Red Bull Salzburg leading the race.
He subsequently reported United will pay £1 million for Kone, plus add-ons, and has now provided a further update.
Michel reports: “Sekou Kone transfer has been many months in the making – he was already on the list before Ineos took over at Manchester United.
“He already caught the eye of Manchester United scouts at the under-17 World Cup.
“It was very tough negotiations with the club’s advisors and managers. Great transfer.”
Ineos sealed deal
Part of the problem at Manchester United in recent years has been that the club have scouted the right players, and those above them have failed to listen or act on the recommendations.
Ineos have changed all that, demonstrating an ability to deliver, to negotiate deals at the right price.
The move for Kone is one everybody at the club deserves credit for, the young midfielder is a standout talent in his age range, at a position where Manchester United need to strengthen long-term.
Entering the summer, United fans hoped there would be a ‘hidden gem’ signing or two, and the move for Kone delivers on these hopes.
Now the next steps are to manage his development properly. At first he will begin in Manchester United’s under-21 side, and he will be assessed and managed from there accordingly.
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