Manchester United are said to have beaten "several clubs" to the signing of a midfielder compared with Tottenham's Yves Bissouma.
The Red Devils are pursuing a policy of signing young players with a promising future, with a view to re-establishing their position at the top of English football.
They have not won the Premier League since Alex Ferguson's final season in charge in 2012/13, with a succession of different managers unable to lead United back to the summit of the domestic game.
Now, with INEOS in charge of the club's sporting activity, they are taking steps to strengthen not only the first team under Erik ten Hag, but also their chances of building a strong lineup for years to come.
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To that end, they have reportedly completed the signing of Sekou Kone, a Mali youth international. Fabrizio Romano said on August 22 that United had reached a deal to bring in the 18-year-old from Guidars FC in Mali.
Kone, according to the Manchester Evening News, was part of the JMG academy in his homeland that also helped to launch the career of Spurs midfielder Bissouma.
The player, who operates as a defensive midfielder, performed well at the FIFA Under-17 World Cup last year as Mali defeated Argentina to claim third place at the tournament.
The transfer comes after United had previously secured the signing of Chido Obi Martin, a 16-year-old forward who left Arsenal after turning down the chance to continue his career in north London or accept potentially more lucrative contract offers elsewhere.