Bharath Rammr
Manchester United are apparently close to securing the signing of Aliou Badara Traore, who is a former academy graduate at Paris St.Germain. The 16-year-old is on the verge of moving to Old Trafford, according to a report on French tabloid L’Equipe.
The midfielder is regarded as a highly talented name in French football, and it was not surprising to see him captain the French national team at the U-17 level. A number of clubs have been after his signature and the list includes Juventus and Manchester City. Yet, United have been able to move ahead of them.
Aliou Badara Traore came through the ranks at Paris St.Germain, but he left the club a year ago in order to join amateur team Sarcelles. He must have envisaged more first-team opportunities at an amateur team, but the entry of Manchester United has changed the picture substantially.
The 16-year-old has already been compared with Paul Pogba, and the French connection enabled United to hand him a trial back in February. Traore managed to make a major impression on the United scouts as he managed to score in one of the under-17 games, against Burnley.
The report claims that we have agreed on a three-year contract with the player, and he is expected to join the club in the next few days. It will be a major coup for United considering that a number of top clubs have been chasing his signature.
Aliou Badara Traore is clearly a player for the future, but manager Jose Mourinho will be concerned about the lack of significant transfer activity at the club. Victor Lindelof is the only arrival at the club in the 2017 summer transfer window. Mourinho has previously stated his desire to complete most of the transfer activity before the pre-season which begins on July 9. Now, United chief executive Ed Woodward is in a race to complete more signings before the preparation for the new season begins.
