Manchester United’s summer signing Sekou Kone is expected to depart on loan in the summer despite reports claiming Ruben Amorim was set to offer him gametime next season.
The Malian arrived last summer after the Red Devils staved off competition from Ajax and Barcelona for his services, with Christopher Vivell playing a crucial role behind the deal.
He has impressed for the U21s this season, making 13 appearances for them while he also made his debut in the UEFA Youth League. The 19-year-old has two goals and one assist in all competitions.
It has been a season of adaptation for the Mali U17 international but there have been signs of progress with U21 boss Travis Binnion playing him in a deep-lying playmaker position and more recently, as an attacking midfielder.
Sekou Kone to be loaned out
He has been part of the first-team matchday squad on three occasions and while there have been murmurs that the head coach will hand him his senior debut this term, it has not materialised as yet.
Sekou Kone is expected to travel with the first-team on the post-season tour of Asia as well as for pre-season but The Daily Mail have noted that after that, his immediate future lies away from Old Trafford.
INEOS-owned FC Lausanne-Sport are expected to be the benefactors despite there being interest from clubs in Belgium and France. United want to take advantage of this unique relationship, much like how Chelsea have benefited from their association with Strasbourg.
“There has been plenty of discourse around what the future holds for Sekou Kone now the academy season has come to an end. Kone has appeared on the cusp of making his first-team debut at times this season. Ultimately, despite training regularly with the seniors, it never materialised.
“Confidential now understands that Kone is set to leave on loan next season to further his development, with Swiss side Lausanne, owned by Ineos, emerging as a frontrunner.
FC Lausanne-Sport set to benefit
“Clubs on the continent in Belgium and France are also admirers of the young Mali midfielder, but United are understood to be keen to strengthen their relationship with Lausanne having seen rivals like Chelsea benefit greatly from their working model with Strasbourg.”
Recent signing Enzo Kana-Biyik is also expected to move to Switzerland on loan even though The Peoples Person has relayed that Amorim wants a closer look at him in the summer.
It is clear from close observers that Kone is a raw talent and needs to be honed in order for him to truly maximise his potential, which is why the club feel it is best to allow him to experience first-team football elsewhere before trying to see if he can make the grade at Old Trafford.
“Kone, 19, has made huge strides playing under Travis Binnion in the Under 21s this season, adapting to both a No 6 and No 8 role in games. But internally it has been determined that there is immense value in allowing Kone to refine his game in a senior set-up while out on loan before coming back to make a push for the United first-team.”
With Christian Eriksen, Casemiro and Kobbie Mainoo’s futures up in the air and with INEOS open to selling Manuel Ugarte, there was certainly space for the former Guidars FC wonderkid, but United seem to have other ideas.
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Ayantan Chowdhury
Ayantan has worked for 10 years in the Indian sports media industry, writing for the biggest newspapers and websites but his heart was always set on writing about his favourite club. Currently an editor at The Peoples Person. You can follow him on X: @ayantanc_25
