Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly among four clubs closely monitoring the progress of Soungalo Coulibaly at Malian club Yeelen Olympique.
According to a report by Africa Foot, Soungalo Coulibaly has garnered a market in Europe with his exploits in age-group football in his homeland. Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur are among the prospective suitors vying for his signature, with Sturm Graz and Red Bull Salzburg also keen on signing the 16-year-old Yeelen Olympique attacking prodigy.
Who is Soungalo Coulibaly?
Soungalo Coulibaly is the latest highly-rated prospect to rise in prominence in an African nation. The continent is producing a crop of promising prodigies that has forced European bigwigs to sit up and take note. Recent reports have linked Obli Kouame Jean Mederic with Barcelona and Liverpool.
Other African prodigies like Lamine Camara, Karim Konate, and Wilfried Nathan Douala have also risen in prominence. As for Coulibaly, the teenage sensation is primarily is a left winger, and he has taken age-group football by storm in Mali. The 16-year-old has also made his mark at the Under-17 Africa Cup of Nations.
Scouts will be present at Mali’s next game, the quarter-final against Tunisia. The Malian whizkid has piqued the attention of several high-profile clubs across Europe. Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur are among the prospective suitors vying for his signature, with Sturm Graz and Red Bull Salzburg also keen on signing him.
Premier League move on the horizon?
Manchester United’s interest in Soungalo Coulibaly is understandable. The Red Devils constantly scour the market for a highly-rated prospects around the world. In addition, they have recently forayed into the African market, with Sekou Kone joining Manchester United last year. Kone’s compatriot Coulibaly has now emerged as a viable target for the Premier League club.
As for Tottenham Hotspur, Ange Postecoglou has overseen a youth-driven project that has already helped young prospects establish a foothold in the first-team squad. Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall have been regulars for the North London club this season, while Luka Vuskovic and Yang Min-hyeok hope to emulate the duo next term.
However, Manchester United will aim to beat the competition to Coulibaly’s signature, as they are “willing to put a significant sum on the table to gain an advantage in this highly sought-after position”. It will be interesting to see if the Red Devils beat Tottenham and others to 16-year-old Malian wonderkid.
