Manchester United beat Juventus to 16-year-old French starlet Aliou Traore as Jose Mourinho builds for the future
Landing the former Paris Saint-Germain midfielder is a huge coup for academy boss Nicky Butt
MANCHESTER UNITED have beaten Juventus to France prodigy Aliou Traore.
The Under-16 international midfielder was close to sealing a move in march but talks dragged on.
And despite a last-gasp bid from Juve, United have finally completed the signing.
Former Paris-Saint Germain star Traore’s arrival is a huge coup for academy chief Nicky Butt.
Spain whizkid Arnau Puigmal has already arrived this summer as part of an overhaul of the club’s youth system.
United were concerned about falling behind their rivals and have spent big to restore their reputation for bringing through youngsters.
Marcus Rashford and Jesse Lingard are both flying the flag but the famed class of ’99 has not looked like being repeated.
Traore has signed a four-year pro deal with United and will spend the first in the academy.
He left PSG due to fears about not playing enough and will expect to be given a shot at some point under Jose Mourinho.
The Special One has been less successful signing senor players so far this window.
Much-touted centre-back Victor Lindelof has agreed a £31million switch to bolster the back four.
And Nemanja Matic is closing in on a reunion with Mourinho – who signed him for Chelsea – in a £40m raid.
Cristiano Ronaldo, James Rodriguez and Alvaro Morata have so far proved elusive, however.
And PSG look increasingly likely to land Fabinho from Ligue 1 rivals Monaco.
