Reuters
Manchester United have reportedly completed a deal to sign Liverpool youngster Isaac Konde, according to Fabrizio Romano.
The summer transfer window was jam-packed with recruitment which saw youth players move between Premier League clubs.
Signing young talents from other academies can be hugely beneficial as clubs look to sign players before they reach their peak.
It allows clubs like United to sign players for minimal fees, often on free transfers if they allow their contracts to run down.
On some occasions, they will pay smaller amounts to prise them away from their clubs, but it's nothing in comparison to what they could be worth in the future.
United are a club who regularly look to poach from other academies. They did so in the summer, bringing in David Eze and Karim Cassim from Manchester City, while also signing Tynan Thompson from Tottenham.
According to Romano, Manchester United have now completed a deal to sign Konde from Liverpool.
At the age of 16, Konde is yet to break into the Liverpool senior squad, although he did feature for the under-18s on six occasions last season.
Konde is a versatile player who can play in a host of different positions, including in the forward line. He does appear to be someone Liverpool were hoping to keep hold of.
Matheus Cunha at Manchester United
Matheus Cunha at Manchester United
Academy expert shares Konde insight
REUTERS/Phil Noble
Liverpool academy expert, Lewis Bower, spoke about Konde after he was being linked with a move to United earlier in the summer.
Bower confirmed that Liverpool did offer him a scholarship deal, but he's now opted to join United.
Bower also provided some insight on the player, which might be beneficial to United supporters who are yet to see the youngster in action.
"Isaac Konde is a good prospect that was slowly integrated into the U18 squad during the final stretch and finished on consecutive starts as an U16 player. Konde made 6 appearances for the U18s in the league. While Liverpool were short in forward areas due to injuries to Finn Inglethorpe and Josh Abe, with numbers further compounded by Joshua Sonnie-Lambie’s promotion to the U21s, Konde is well thought of with some redeemable qualities hence Manchester United’s impending move. Believe he was offered a scholarship at Liverpool. Watched him play both from the left-hand-side and as a striker in a two. Both of those different positions helped highlight a little variation in Konde’s willingness to drop and create separation from his defender or play from the shoulder. Very evident that Konde is blessed with wicked pace across long distances and also from a slower start in burst. Got a really quick burst that I saw him use consistently outside on the left to good effect. Following these moments you might have liked him to lift his head a little more in some instances, leading to some inconsistent decision making. But, such was his attitude that when actions didn’t come off, Konde wasn’t deterred and remained positive and persistent. Good control for the most part with some erratic moments. Always a threat due to his pace and attitude in which he uses it. This creates space for his team-mates as a result. Naturally still raw, could become a good player. Liverpool set to lose a good prospect at U18 level they would rather have kept but will move forward well enough. Wish Konde all the best, has a brilliant attitude when he plays."