Manchester United's plan for Sekou Kone revealed after agreement for wonderkid transfer

Manchester United have agreed a deal to sign defensive midfielder Sekou Kone in this summer window.

Kone currently plays for Guidars FC and impressed playing for Mali at the Under-17 World Cup in December, but he's set to complete a transfer to United before deadline day.

Although Erik ten Hag is in the market to sign a defensive midfielder and talks for Manuel Ugarte are progressing, the plan is for Kone to join up with the Under-21s.

It's understood the 18-year-old is considered as a player with high potential by United staff and he'll spend time training with the first-team at Carrington, which means he could be fast-tracked if he demonstrates he can operate at the level required around the senior group.

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Manchester is close to 2,500 away from the African nation Mali and United will help Kone integrate into life in England as he settles into his new surroundings at a young age.

When United signed Alejandro Garnacho as a teenager in 2020, he undertook intensive English lessons and was given access to documentaries on the club and Manchester.

The same treatment will be given to Kone and more because Garnacho signed during the pandemic, which limited the care the club could give him after signing from Atletico Madrid.

Travis Binnion is the U21 manager at United and he will oversee Kone in a youth programme that will provide him with challenges in the EFL Trophy and in the Premier League 2.

Kone started his career with the JMG academy in Bamako, Mail, following in the footsteps of Tottenham Hotspur and Mali international Yves Bissouma. Mali beat Argentina to claim a