Man Utd closing in on trio of transfers for Liverpool wonderkid and two Man City teenagers under Ratcliffe masterplan

MANCHESTER UNITED are closing in on Liverpool teenager Isaac Konde. Minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe wants to unearth hidden gems, develop them into world-class talent and build sellable assets. United head coach Michael Carrick is a big fan of academy players Credit: Getty United co-owner Jim Ratcliffe complained about United’s lack of academy sales Credit: Reuters Ratcliffe stated that the academy’s standards have “really slipped” and emphasised that it must constantly produce talent to help the club financially in October 2025. United have wrapped up deals for youngsters like Sekou Kone, Patrick Dorgu, Ayden Heaven, Chido Obi and Harley Emsden-James in recent windows. Sign up for the Man United newsletter Thank you! The Old Trafford club also signed 18-year-old left winger Tynan Thompson from Spurs on Monday in a £4m deal, which could rise to £8m with add-ons. Anfield’s Konde is a highly regarded winger with electric pace and strong dribbling skills. The 16-year-old played for Liverpool’s Under-18s last season, a team that finished 21 points behind United’s Under-18s. Konde is at his best on the left flank, but can operate on the opposite side and as a centre-forward. Meanwhile, United are also closing in on Manchester City youth midfielders David Eze and Karim Cassim. Ineos are currently negotiating development compensation fees with City and Liverpool. Most read in Sport BEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK Karim Cassim of Manchester City looks on during the FA Youth Cup quarter-final Credit: Getty It’s understood that Konde, Eze and Cassim will all initially link up with Darren Fletcher’s Under-18s. They could support the role of 15-year-old JJ Gabriel, who earned regular first-team training stints last season. Gabriel is set to travel with Michael Carrick‘s squad for United’s second pre-season game against Rosenborg in Trondheim on Friday. The teen is in line to sign a pre-contract agreement with United on his 16th birthday in October, that will transition into a formal professional contract when he turns 17 in 2027. If United cannot agree on compensation fees with Liverpool and City, the valuation is referred to a tribunal to determine the price. Development fees — often referred to as training compensation — are designed to reimburse clubs that nurture young talent. When a player under the age of 24 lets their contract expire after rejecting a renewal offer, or signs their first professional contract with a new team, the acquiring club must pay compensation to the original academy. United also have talented left winger Noah Ajayi, 17, in Fletcher’s group, who is knocking on the first team door. Ajayi was set to join Carrick’s group alongside Gabriel, but an ankle injury has kept him out. Comment now