UNITED AGREE DEAL FOR SEKOU KONE
Manchester United have reached an agreement to sign highly-rated defensive midfielder Sekou Kone from Guidars FC before the summer transfer window closes. Kone, who recently impressed for Mali at the Under-17 World Cup in December, is set to join the Premier League giants and will officially complete his transfer in the coming days.
While Erik ten Hag is actively seeking a defensive midfielder for the first team, with ongoing talks for Sporting CP's Manuel Ugarte, the immediate plan for Kone is different.
The 18-year-old is expected to link up with Manchester United's Under-21 squad upon his arrival. United's coaching staff view Kone as a player with immense potential, and although he will start with the youth setup, he will train with the first team at Carrington. This arrangement could lead to a rapid promotion if Kone demonstrates he can meet the demands of senior-level football.
The club is fully aware of the challenges Kone will face as he adapts to life in England. Manchester is almost 2,500 miles away from Mali, and United are committed to helping the young midfielder settle into his new environment. Similar to their approach when they signed Alejandro Garnacho from Atletico Madrid in 2020, the club will provide Kone with intensive English lessons and access to resources that will help him acclimate both on and off the pitch. Garnacho's arrival during the pandemic meant that United's support was somewhat limited, but the club plans to offer even more comprehensive care for Kone, ensuring he feels at home in his new surroundings.
Travis Binnion, Manchester United's Under-21 manager, will oversee Kone’s development as part of the club's youth program. Kone will face competitive challenges in the EFL Trophy and Premier League 2, which are designed to accelerate his growth and prepare him for potential first-team opportunities. Kone's path to Old Trafford mirrors that of other talented players who have emerged from the JMG Academy in Bamako, Mali—a well-known football school that also produced Tottenham Hotspur and Mali international Yves Bissouma.
Kone played a crucial role in Mali's third-place finish at the Under-17 World Cup in Indonesia, where his performances caught the eye of scouts and clubs worldwide. His signing is part of Manchester United's broader strategy to continually add top young talent to their academy, ensuring they remain a leader in youth development. Alongside Kone, United have also secured the signing of young striker Chido Obi-Martin from Arsenal this summer, further strengthening their youth ranks.
As Kone prepares to embark on this new chapter in Manchester, the club is optimistic about his future and the potential impact he could have, both in the youth teams and eventually, at the senior level. His journey at United begins with the Under-21s, but all eyes will be on how quickly he can make the leap to join Erik ten Hag's first team in the seasons to come.