Man United this summer
According to the Daily Mail, Man United are ready to listen to offers for highly-rated starlet Aliou Traore amid interest from French second-tier outfit Caen, who have already opened talks with the player’s representatives over a potential return to his homeland.
As per the source, the Red Devils are prepared to part ways with the 19-year-old for a fee of around £1million, with a sell-on clause included in the deal.
The 19-year-old central midfielder, who has also attracted interest from Celtic, Rangers and Benfica (h/t Daily Mail), scored 4 goals in 14 Premier League 2 appearances for United’s U23 side last season, showing glimpses of his potential at the youth level.
However, the Red Devils are well aware of the tough competition for places in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s midfield, which is exactly the reason why they don’t see Traore as a part of their plans moving forward. (h/t Daily Mail)
Born in Sarcelles, France, to parents of African descent, Traore started his career at local club Sarcelles AAS before earning a move to Paris Saint-Germain in 2014. His impressive progress across various age-group levels at the French capital caught the eye of Man United, who roped him in as a part of their U18 set-up back in the summer of 2017.
The French U19 international was promoted to United’s U23 ranks last year and turned in a series of impressive displays in the Premier League 2 and the EFL Trophy, although he’s yet to make a first-team breakthrough at Old Trafford.
That Traore has already made his mark at the U23 level despite being only 19 speaks volumes of his talent and potential. However, it’s imperative to say that United already have enough depth and competition for places in their midfield and a perfect blend of youth and experience to complement that.
With Andreas Pereira, Scott McTominay, and Jesse Lingard turning into benchwarmers following the resurrection of Paul Pogba and the arrival of impact signing Bruno Fernandes, it’s hard to see how Solskjaer would be able to offer enough game time to an unproven talent like Traore.
Furthermore, the Red Devils already have other young midfield talents like James Garner, Ethan Galbraith and Dylan Levitt trying to make an impression on the first-team, meaning that Traore’s future at Old Trafford looks bleak despite the departure of Angel Gomes to Lille.
Looking at things from a financial perspective, the 19-year-old just has one year remaining on his current contract at the club, so it will be better for United to cash in on him this summer rather than risk losing him for free.
United have shown a clear desire to nurture their academy prospects ever since Solskjaer’s appointment at the helm but it’s certainly not feasible for an ambitious club to offer first-team promise to all their rising talents.
To that end, United cashing in on Aliou Traore could be a smart move and one that might work in favour of all parties involved.
