Man Utd Sign 16-Year-Old Defender Willy Kambwala From Sochaux

Manchester United have signed young central defender Willy Kambwala from French side Sochaux for a fee thought to be in the region of €4m.

The 16-year-old has signed a four-year deal with the Premier League outfit and will join their Under-18s squad, though he needs to complete a mandatory period of self-isolation first.

A statement on United's website reads: "Manchester United is pleased to confirm the signing of Willy Kambwala from Sochaux.

"The 16-year-old defender has represented the Ligue 2 club up to Under-19s level and has captained France’s Under-17s.

"Kambwala will join Neil Ryan’s Under-18s squad once his mandatory period of self-isolation is complete."

The deal is worth €4m with bonuses, with a sell-on fee clause also included. Premier League champions Liverpool were previously linked with the teenager.

Regarding their senior set-up, United have been pretty slow to act in the transfer market.

Donny van de Beek, who joined from Dutch giants Ajax, became their first signing of the window back in September, and the deal for Porto full back Alex Telles was only confirmed on Monday.

The Red Devils were also heavily linked with Borussia Dortmund and England star Jadon Sancho, but their refusal to pay the Bundesliga side's asking price - instead opting to attempt to pressure BVB into selling - meant the deal failed to materialise.

Attentions have turned to Barcelona winger Ousmane Dembele and Watford's Ismaila Sarr, but with time running out any incoming deal looks increasingly unlikely.

An announcement on striker Edinson Cavani, who left Paris Saint-Germain as a free agent in June, is expectedly imminently. The club have also agreed to sign Atalanta winger Amad Diallo Traore, but he will only move to Manchester in January.