Signed for a potential total of around €40m, Amad Diallo Traoré is expected to join Manchester United in January.
The 18-year-old has only ever made three appearances for Atalanta, but it has been reported there is a firm belief behind the scenes at Carrington the young Ivorian has everything to develop into a great player, hence why so much money was spent to secure his services early on.
That has now been echoed by Italian journalist Michele Criscitiello, who spoke to SportItalia Mercato and explained he has been pushing the Traoré agenda for quite some time, wanting to see him move to a great Italian club.
He said, relayed by Area Napoli: “I tried in every way to suggest [Traoré] to Italian clubs. I was convinced he could make a difference everywhere. We are in the presence of a boy who is still very young, but with impressive growth potential. I was able to follow him for a long time, and I’m convinced he will explode in the short term”.
That’s certainly what Manchester United will be hoping for once he completes his move to Old Trafford in the coming months, perhaps leaving a bunch of Serie A teams longingly watching what they could have had.
This is what Criscitiello is expecting.
He added: “Despite my insistence, no Italian team has really focused on Traoré. The result? The player is gone to Manchester United for a total sum of €40m. Serie A has lost a player destined to become one of the best in his role”.
If that’s what happens, then Ed Woodward, perhaps for once, will be able to pat himself on the back for doing something good on the transfer market.
Until then, however, the judge will be out, and there will be some in Italy avidly watching what unfolds.
