Premier League clubs have lost out to Borussia Dortmund in the race for Paris Saint-Germain defender Soumaila Coulibaly.
The France youth international Coulibaly has agreed a pre-contract deal to join Dortmund in the summer on a free transfer when his contract at PSG expires.
Coulibaly's signature on a free transfer was fiercely contested with some of Europe's biggest clubs from the Premier League, La Liga and Serie A all making offers for the impressive centre-back.
Manchester United, Barcelona and Juventus were among the clubs to have courted Coulibaly, but Dortmund moved smartly in the transfer market to land one of the best young talents in Europe for next season.
Coulibaly, who is represented by Portugal based sports agency - Epic Sports - has signed a long-term contract at Dortmund as he aims to continue his rapid rise to the top of football.
Epic Sports chief executive and intermediary, Mohsen Pourbakhtiari, who brokered the deal to take Coulibaly to Dortmund, confirmed they received several offers for the 17-year-old, but that Dortmund's success in developing and playing young stars was key to their decision to snub interest from elsewhere and move to the Bundesliga.
'It was flattering for Soumaila to receive so many proposals from top clubs in England, Spain, Italy and Germany, but after careful consideration we decided to accept Borussia Dortmund's offer,' Pourbakhtiari told Sportsmail.
'Like we do with all our clients we discussed all our options with the player and his family and once we spoke to Dortmund officials we all agreed that moving to Germany was the perfect next step for Soumaïla in his career.
'We would like to thank Dortmund for their professionalism throughout the negotiations and we are also thankful to Paris Saint Germain for the wonderful education they have given Soumaila Coulibaly so far in his career."
Coulibaly, who has been likened to France international Dayot Upamecano, is relishing the prospect of joining Dortmund and playing alongside other top young stars such as Erling Haaland, Jadon Sancho, Gio Reyna, Jude Bellingham and playing in front of Dortmund's passionate fans.
'It was nice to have so much interest from so many clubs, but I cannot wait to get started with Dortmund,' Coulibaly explained to Sportsmail.
'They are a great club with a proven track record of developing some of the best young talents in the world and I aim to do my best for the club and fans.
'I am thankful to my agents [Epic Sports] for helping me in making this move to Dortmund and also to Paris Saint-Germain where I have learnt so much already in my career.'
Emchi
0
mufc should change to mubet. Because, they're always used to bet for footballers.
CrankHighVoltage
0
To be honest our club is too big to start chasing and developing youngsters like BVB. we don't have that luxury
Caulopr
0
BVB are the real pimp. They do real business with the players, agent & family members. They groom your stars, give them enabling environment to develop well. Everyone is happy as the sell big giving everyone their own slice of the cake🍰 This is purely business done along with great pleasure.
Walkz
0
What you mean by black . Everybody is human being . Even I do not have a dark skin . YOU ARE RUDE
im not rude im saying black players are more talented than those white player
noeaikm
2
we always get pipped
ditbdlnyz
5
The boy made a good choice
RussellMwangala
1
It’s ridiculous how every player is linked to United. Clickbait!!
Cyrus7
0
Somebody knows how to do good business.kudo to BVB
OguguaBryan
2
the way man united loss everything now they might even lose the united one their name
Wasciktz
1
Germany league producing so many black talents
[image]
What you mean by black . Everybody is human being . Even I do not have a dark skin . YOU ARE RUDE
Wasciktz
0
dortmund will later sell him to man utd for 100 million dollars
Agree then United will buy and then feel he is a flop .
sozcdilryz
3
dortmund will later sell him to man utd for 100 million dollars
Pibcelpsu
0
yes good move.. dont go to Epl...they buy u n keep in d bench.....
Liybcnrsy
3
Liybcnrsy
0
Sanctinolez
0
Man Utd always wanna dig for golds but still get chased by the foxes [Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh]
Brah it includes Barcelona too. Read the article
hoscdlmotz
0
Stop linking all this on known players to United
Walkz
1
Germany league producing so many black talents
fizzbizzie
4
stop linking every planet earth player to man utd
ManUtdGGMU
0
Bailly,Tuanzebe don't even start for Man Utd ,I am sure Lindelof and Maguire would still start every game
sauaeiosuz
2
doing business indoor,,,, Dortmund
Dutabdkrt
3
Man Utd always wanna dig for golds but still get chased by the foxes [Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh]