Manchester United have reportedly won the race to sign Sekou Kone from Guidars FC.
A number of clubs are believed to have been interested in signing the 18-year-old, who has been capped on 12 occasions by Mali Under-17s.
Kone represented Mali at the Under-17s Africa Cup of Nations and Under-17s World Cup last year, helping his country to reach the semi-finals of both tournaments.
According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, 'several clubs' have been looking to sign the defensive midfielder from Guidars FC, but the 'top talent' has agreed a switch to the 20-time English champions.
Romano claims that Man United view Kone as part of their long-term plans alongside Chido Obi Martin, who is set to arrive at the club in the not too distant future.
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Man United 'agree deal' for Mali star Kone
Kone is not expected to be considered for first-team action this season and could instead turn out for the club's Under-23s outfit with a view to earning senior football in 2025-26.
X account FTalentScout said last year that Kone's strengths are his 'pace, passing, vision, technique, positioning, tackling, athleticism and work rate'.
Kone could potentially be a vital player for the Red Devils in the future alongside Obi Martin, with the 16-year-old's arrival at Old Trafford expected to be confirmed in the coming weeks.
Obi Martin revealed at the end of July that he would be leaving Arsenal this summer for pastures new, and Man United have managed to beat a number of clubs to his signature.
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Why is 16-year-old Obi Martin so highly-rated?
Obi Martin netted an incredible 32 goals in 18 league matches for Arsenal Under-18s last season, while he managed 10 goals in one match against Liverpool Under-16s last November.
In his last appearance for Arsenal Under-18s, he scored a hat-trick against Chelsea, and he made his debut for Arsenal Under-21s at the age of 15, further highlighting his incredible potential.
It has been suggested that Obi Martin could be Man United's number three striker this season behind Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee, although his arrival has not yet been officially confirmed.
The deal is subject to the Premier League five-step investigation, which is always the case when an academy player moves between two Category One academies, so the hold-up is not unexpected.
The teenager scored 28 goals in his final nine games of last season for Arsenal Under-18s, and it will be fascinating to see how the gifted forward's career develops in the coming years.
Matt Law
