Manchester United are reportedly closing in on former Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Aliou Badara Traore. The Red Devils are expected to offer the player a three-year deal to start with. Amidst heavy business in the transfer window, United have also done their part to strengthen their youth team.
Traore will join the likes of Paul Pogba and Anthony Martial to strengthen the French contingent at the Old Trafford. United will be boosted by the addition of the midfielder as Traore already has the experience of representing France on the international level as he has been handed the armband of the French U-17 team.
A defensive midfielder, the player is very highly rated in the European circuit. The likes of Manchester City and Juventus have been chasing the player but it seems the Manchester-based outfit have won the race. Traore left PSG last season as he went on to join another French side Sarcelles.
Traore is unlikely to play for the senior side and will be inducted under the guidance of ex-Manchester United footballer Nicky Butt who is in the charge of Manchester United academy. The French youngster was invited for a trial and had impressed the club authorities in February. He scored a goal as United U-17 thrashed Burnley 7-0.
United Academy has been home to a large number of talented players with the likes of David Beckham, Gary Neville, Ryan Giggs, George Best and last but not the least Sir Bobby Charlton. Traore is the latest youngster who has been linked with the club as the Club have set their eyes on a number of esteemed talents for their youth setup.
Jose Mourinho has given ample chances to the youngsters last season as Marcus Rashford and Axel Tuanzebe have forayed into the first team. Rashford was one of the young players in the Premier League to have played a large portion of the matches.
The signing of Traore will be a blessing and a canny piece of business for Mourinho. The Portuguese manager has been chasing a defensive midfielder for long and Traore might be tested in the role. The 16-year-old has been very impressive for the last few seasons ad might be the long term replacement of Michael Carrick further down the line.
Assuming that it will be the English midfielder’s last season United need to feel the void and Traore has that quality in him to be that midfield enforcer in near future.
