Manchester United Confirm Signing of Atalanta Youngster Amad Diallo

Manchester United have confirmed the signing of highly-rated Atalanta youngster Amad Diallo Traore, who will join the club in January after a work permit is secured.

United have spent big to land the 18-year-old winger, with a fee close to £30m believed to have been agreed for the Ivory Coast youth international.

A United statement reads: "Manchester United have reached an agreement with Atalanta for the future transfer of Amad Diallo, one of the most exciting young prospects in Italian football.

"The 18-year-old Ivorian right-winger has been on the radar of United scouts since 2016, when he was spotted playing at Under-15 level, and the club have been tracking his progress since.

"Diallo scored on his Serie A debut in the first of three first-team appearances last season, after rising through the youth ranks at Atalanta.

"He will join United at a later date, subject to medical, personal terms and work permit."

United are reluctant to pin his arrival down to a specific date, but it is widely understood that the starlet will join the club in January after the finer details are concluded.

Despite his position and potential, it's not thought that United see Diallo as an alternative to Jadon Sancho. The deal was independent of their approach for Ousmane Dembele, who they attempted to sign as a 'plan B' to Sancho, but weren't able to agree on a deal with Barcelona in time for the deadline.

United are expected to confirm the signing of Edinson Cavani on a free transfer before Tuesday's Champions League registration deadline. The 33-year-old is expected to wear the number 7 shirt at United for the remainder of the season - the squad number many fans had earmarked for a more long-term signing.