Manchester United paid €1.5 million plus bonuses to land midfield talent Sekou Kone | OneFootball

Manchester United have beaten off competition from plenty of clubs to land highly-rated Malian midfielder Sekou Kone for a reported bargain fee.

Not many days are left before the summer transfer window is shut and the club’s recruitment team are yet to give Erik ten Hag a new midfielder for the new season.

United are currently involved in long drawn-out negotiations with Paris Saint-Germain over the signing of Manuel Ugarte, with both clubs failing to find an agreement over the 23-year-old midfielder’s apt valuation.

Whether they manage to get the deal over the line for Ugarte remains to be seen. However, the Red Devils have made a decisive move to strengthen the club’s midfield for the future.

United have reached an agreement with Guidars FC for the signing of their sensational talent Kone.

According to journalist Christopher Michel, the Premier League giants have agreed to pay a €1.5 million fixed fee for the 18-year-old midfielder as well as bonuses depending on appearances.

Michel adds that the wonderkid will complete formalities, including medicals and contract signing, at the beginning of the next week.

The press-resistant midfielder, who is capable of slotting in as both— a number six and number eight, caught the attention of Europe’s top clubs after delivering impressive performances for Mali at the U17 World Cup.

The African nation enjoyed a great run in the tournament, managing to book a place in the semi-finals. Kone was their stand-out player.

Recently, The Peoples Person relayed a report claiming Kone was attracting interest from not just United but also Crystal Palace, and Wolverhampton Wanderers. RB Salzburg were also linked with the midfield prospect.

Salzburg have bought several players from Guidars, including Mamady Diambou and Daouda Guindo, over the last few years. United’s interim director of recruitment Christopher Vivell has previously overseen scouting and recruitment at the Red Bull group.

It remains unclear if Vivell played any part in Kone’s pursuit, but the connection is certainly interesting.

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