MANCHESTER UNITED reportedly landed Amad Diallo after an emotional FaceTime call with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
The Red Devils agreed a deal with Atalanta to sign the winger in January in a move that infuriated Italian side Parma.
Man Utd signed Amad Diallo after an emotional FaceTime call with Ole Gunnar SolskjaerCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Diallo, 18, will move to Old Trafford subject to a work permit and the agreement of personal terms.
The Ivorian reportedly had a medical in Bergamo yesterday ahead of the £37.7million move – which includes a 15 per cent sell on fee for Atalanta.
And he was convinced to make the switch by the video call with Solskjaer, according to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano.
Romano also claimed United think Diallo is one of the best players in the world in his age group.
Solskjaer reportedly told the teenager he rates him highly and he is an important part of the club’s future.
And United’s boss also told him he does not plan to send him out on loan once he returns from Atalanta in January.
Serie A side Parma were furious with United’s last minute hijack of the deal as they claim they had an agreement in place.
Parma director Alessandro Lucarelli said: “You must ask Atalanta about Diallo.
“We had the agreement and then the negotiation with Manchester United started and they sold him.
“We covered ourselves with other players and we will make up for it, but he would have been useful.”
Elsewhere, Diallo’s team-mate Papu Gomez has boldy compared the winger to Lionel Messi.
He said: “He’s a future star, trust me.
“During our training sessions he plays like Messi.
“You can’t stop him, he’s unbelievable, our centre-backs have serious problems when he is on the pitch. He’s fantastic.”
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
