Manchester United have reportedly completed the signing of 16-year-old wonderkid Aliou Traore, beating Juventus and Manchester City to the Frenchman.
According to Goal, Manchester United have been finally able to complete the signing of Aliou Traore. The 16-year-old Frenchman is being heavily tailed by the likes of Manchester United, Manchester City and Juventus. However, the Red Devils have finally managed to secure the signature of the wonderkid.
Aliou Traore is the latest French youngster to enter the radar of Europe’s elite clubs after the sudden rise of Kylian Mbappe. While 16-year-old Traore is yet to break out onto the scene, unlike his more senior compatriot Kylian Mbappe, the player is already generating interest in his services.
Manchester City and Juventus were both interested in the youngster, with a move to Juventus touted until the very last minute. However, it seems the player has chosen Manchester, albeit the red half of the city. The report states that the player has penned a four-year deal with the Red Devils.
Welcome to Manchester United Aliou Badara Traore!
The France U16 international joins on a 4 year deal, spending the first in the youth team. pic.twitter.com/3kHlyxyjqu— José (@MourinhoMindset) June 28, 2017
Traore will slot into the youth squad, which is being managed by former Tottenham player Kieran McKenna, in the first year and will be hoping to make the senior cut in the future.
The 16-year-old was a part of the youth setup at Paris Saint-Germain before leaving the club in search of more game time. Traore ended up at his hometown club at Sarcelles in the amateur leagues.
Despite being without a professional club, the player was called up to the French Under-16 setup, having already made his debut for the French Under-17s as well. At the point, the 16-year-old was the only player not representing a professional club, something which is not the case now.
Manchester United have secured the signature of the midfielder who will add to the Under-18 squad and enable the likes of Callum Whelan – and other midfielders that are currently a part of the Under-18s – to gain some exposure into the Under-23s as well.
Not officially confirmed but, yes, that’s happened. Aliou Badara Traoré, a box-to-box midfielder. 4 year deal.
— Academy Man Utd (@AcademyManUtd) June 30, 2017
The Red Devils seem to be on a major recruiting spree at youth level, with midfield being shortlisted as a priority this summer. It will be interesting to see how Traore develops, given the hype and interest his potential has been able to generate.
