Manchester United complete 'bold signing' on transfer deadline day
Man Utd have completed their first signing of transfer deadline day with the addition of a new midfielder.
Manchester United have completed the signing of teenage midfielder Sekou Kone from Malian side Guidars FC on transfer deadline day.
It is believed United will pay a fixed fee in the region of £1.2 million for his signature, with a number of performance related add-ons also included.
The 18-year-old is considered a top talent with a huge amount of raw potential and could prove to be a smart addition for United in the years to come. A club source described his arrival as a 'bold signing' after the club's new football leadership and recruitment team backed the recommendation of the club’s international scouting network.
United first scouted Kone at the U17 World Cup last year. He was watched by multiple staff throughout tournament and identified as player of significant interest to follow. He was then watched at U18 tournament in Morocco earlier this year when recommendation to sign him came.
Kone has been described as a highly-talented youngster who excels in terms of his technical composure and quality off both feet. Club sources are also excited by his ball manipulation when under pressure, his physical ability to press with intensity and his overall mentality.
While the club have high hopes for Kone, they are appreciative of the huge cultural and career change the move represents for him and will be careful about how they integrate him into his new surroundings at such a young age.
Kone will primarily feature for United at U21 level in his debut season but will likely be involved in first-team training sessions on a regular basis in order to aid his development. He could get his first taste of proper men's football during the EFL Trophy campaign, which continues with matches against both Doncaster and Huddersfield next month.