United have “started negotiations” to land academy gem’s compatriot, “formal offer” expected soon – report

A second highly-rated youngster is set to swap Mali for Manchester with Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United poised to return to the African market, according to reports.

Earlier this year, United moved quickly to sign 18-year-old Sekou Kone from Malian side Guidars FC, and according to Africafoot, the club are looking to repeat the trick for his young compatriot Daba Diakité.

Diakité plays for Djoliba AC and, like Kone, is a defensive midfielder. He is described as “undoubtedly one of the most sought-after prospects by foreign clubs.”

And according to the report, the Red Devils are in pole position for the player, having “begun the process of signing” him. Africafoot credit this information as coming from a source very close to the player.

Diakité is considered “the best defensive midfielder playing in the Malian championship”, and is “getting closer and closer to the elite of international football.”

United’s only named competition for the 20-year-old comes from Egyptian side Pyramids FC, but it seems that the Old Trafford outfit are winning the race for his signature.

“The Red Devils leaders have started negotiations with Djoliba AC to recruit Daba Benoit Diakité,” it is claimed.

The timing seems perfect for a move as Diakité has only three months left on his contract, and United are “only waiting for the approval” of his current employers to “make a formal offer”. The report strongly suggests this is only a matter of time.

United making brisk moves for young players beyond the boundaries of Europe is an exciting change of pace in the club’s recruitment.

It was well-documented that the Red Devils had the opportunity to sign a teenage Moises Caicedo when he was still plying his trade in his native Ecuador.

Instead he was snapped up by Brighton and Hove Albion, who ended up selling him to Chelsea for over £100m.

The Peoples Person recently relayed that Kone was headed for Ajax until United hijacked the move at the last minute, and noted that in the past the club was sluggish in completing such deals.

There is an element of risk in any move for a young player, particularly when they are coming from a vastly different league but, in acquiring Kone and pursuing Diakité, United have adopted a fresh approach which could bear very exciting fruit.

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