United close to completing transfer of “next Yaya Toure”, midfielder already training with new teammates – report

Manchester United are in discussions to finalise a deal to loan out one of their young midfielders. During the final days of the transfer window, United are bracing themselves for interest in their midfielders. Earlier today, The Peoples Person relayed a report claiming that Galatasaray vice-president Abdullah Kavukcu has arrived in the United Kingdom to explore the possibility of signing Manuel Ugarte. Kobbie Mainoo is also reportedly on Galatasaray’s radar. Given the lack of depth in midfield, the club’s hierarchy are unlikely to sanction any major departures. However, they are working on formally sending Sekou Kone out on loan. Manchester United close to finalising deal for Sekou Kone According to journalist Marc Mechenoua (via Sport Witness), Sekou Kone is set to leave United to join FC Lausanne-Sport on loan until the end of the season. The highly rated Malian midfield gem, who has drawn comparisons to Yaya Toure, is yet to make his senior debut for the Red Devils, having joined the club from Guidars FC in 2024. After impressing at youth level, Kone, 19, was expected to break through into the squad this season. However, he had to spend significant time on the sidelines after suffering a concussion against Tamworth in August last year. United sent him to sister club Lausanne in Switzerland to train and maintain his fitness. Now, plans are underway for him to feature in competitive matches for the INEOS-owned club. Mechenoua claims the loan deal is at the paperwork stage, and Kone has already started training with his Lausanne teammates. Manchester United to hand new contract to Kobbie Mainoo Meanwhile, United have shelved plans to loan Mainoo to Napoli. Earlier in January, the academy product was keen on joining the Serie A giants amid concerns over his playing time under Ruben Amorim. Following Amorim’s sacking, the Premier League club are “prepared to return to contract talks” with Mainoo. The 20-year-old has started in both games under Michael Carrick, delivering promising performances in his side’s wins over Manchester City and Arsenal. Featured image Michael Regan via Getty Images The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social Vishal Singh Vishal has worked in the football media industry for over six years, planning, writing, and editing content for several major outlets, including North Star Network. Vishal has a bachelor’s degree in English Literature from Delhi University. Currently a writer at The Peoples Person, he covers Manchester United — a club he has been religiously following and supporting since 2012. Vishal also manages a leading MUFC fan page, The Red Devils, on Facebook with over a million likes. Big fan of ball-playing centre-backs and Harry Maguire’s knee-slide celebration!