Manchester United are set to beat Barcelona in the transfer race to sign 17-year-old midfielder Mouhamed Dabo, according to reports.
The Senegal youth international captain has spent the last few weeks training with United and is understood to have impressed coaches.
Dabo previously spent a month training with La Liga champions Barcelona and both clubs are hoping to wrap up a deal the impressive teenager.
It appears that United have won the race, though, with Africafoot reporting that Dabo is now ‘very close’ to signing a deal with the Red Devils.
The outlet has labelled Dabo a ‘prodigy’ who has a lot of raw talent – particularly his tactical intelligence, fine technique and positioning.
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It’s said that Dabo has the ability to dictate the pace of a game and is also known for his maturity and ‘physical impact’ at such a young age.
Dabo is set to become United’s second midfield signing from Africa in recent years, with the club recruiting Sekou Kone in the summer of 2024.
Kone is yet to make his senior debut for United but made 14 appearances for the U21s last season.
Man Utd reach agreement for Colombian teen
Meanwhile, United have also reportedly reached a ‘preliminary agreement’ to sign South American teenage midfielder Cristian Orozco.
The defensive midfielder helped Colombia reach the final of the U17 South American Championship earlier this year.
Orozco is the same age as Dabo, 17, with United viewing the teen as an exciting young talent with first-team potential.
It is thought that Orozco will continue playing for his current club, Fortaleza CEIF, until the transfer can be finalised in July.
That’s because Orozco is unable to complete a move to Old Trafford until he turns 18 next year.
Amorim wants ‘young and hungry’ players
Speaking earlier this year, United head coach Ruben Amorim said: ‘We try to find the right players with the physicality for this league – young players, hungry players.
‘Sometimes, we cannot spend a lot of money with players.
‘So it’s that kind of profile that we look for.’
from: elfutbolero.us