Manchester United are reportedly planning to announce the signing of teenage starlet Sekou Kone on Thursday, the day before the transfer deadline closes, in addition to the £50million transfer of Paris Saint-Germain's Manuel Ugarte.
French outlet L'Equipe claim that Kone is heading to Old Trafford from Malian side Guidars FC for a fee expected to be in the region of £1m.
The 18-year-old impressed at the Under-17 FIFA World Cup as Mali defeated Argentina to claim a third-place finish in Indonesia, impressing several top European teams, but the Red Devils appear to have won the race for his signature.
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New United decision-makers have made a conscious effort to lower the average age of Erik ten Hag's squad, with another youngster joining the likes of Ugarte, Leny Yoro, Matthijs de Ligt, Noussair Mazraoui and Joshua Zirkzee as new recruits.
However, Kone is set to join United's U21 side at least for the start of the 2024/25 season as he gets used to life in England and the Premier League.
He is following in the footsteps of Tottenham's Yves Bissouma, who also came through the JMG academy in Bamako before eventually ending up in north London.
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While Kone gets adjusted in the youth team, United have also recruited Ugarte from PSG and the final touches are being put on his move. He is expected to compete with Casemiro for a place in the team alongside Kobbie Mainoo, with Kone waiting in the wings as a long-term future prospect.
Old Trafford may see a busy few days of the transfer window before Friday's deadline, with the club still in talks to sell wantaway star Jadon Sancho amid interest from Juventus and Chelsea.
Enzo Maresca's outfit are interested in bringing the £72m man to Stamford Bridge, with the possibility of sending either Raheem Sterling or Ben Chilwell in the opposite direction.
Scott McTominay is also in Italy finalising a move to Antonio Conte's Napoli, which has paved the way for Ugarte to join United on a permanent deal rather than a loan, with the Red Devils knowing that two midfielders are incoming.
Kone will be given the patience required under the new INEOS hierarchy, who will be comfortable with an Ugarte-Mainoo pivot in the meantime, confident that they have an exciting young prospect on their hands.
