Manchester United are intensifying their pursuit of Gambian centre-back Abubacarr Sedi Kinteh, with club officials preparing a scouting trip to Norway in early March, according to reports. The 19-year-old, currently playing for Tromsø IL, has too attracted interest from Chelsea, Ajax, and PSV Eindhoven, but United appear to be leading the chase.
Interest from the Premier League giants first surfaced on February 9th, as reported by the Daily Mail, highlighting Kinteh’s emergence as a promising talent in European football. Described as a “rapid left-sided centre-back,” Kinteh has quickly established himself as a key player for Tromsø since joining the club from the Mawade Wade academy in Senegal last March.
United’s director of football, Jason Wilcox, and CEO Omar Berrada are reportedly driving the effort to bring Kinteh to Old Trafford this summer. Il Corriere dello Sport reports that the club views the defender as a strategic investment to bolster Michael Carrick’s squad. Kinteh’s ability to play both as a centre-back and a left-back adds to his appeal.
Tromsø are believed to be seeking around £4 million (€4.5m, $5.4m) for the player, who is currently under contract with the Norwegian club until the summer of 2029. Kinteh made 21 appearances in the Eliteserien during his debut season, scoring one goal and providing one assist. He also earned his first international cap for Gambia in October 2025.
Norwegian football expert Bastin Schmitz has praised Kinteh’s physical attributes, describing him as “lightning fast and strong,” whereas acknowledging that the player remains “very raw.” Transfermarkt analysis notes that Kinteh’s market value has risen to €5 million following his breakthrough performances.
While Chelsea, Ajax, and PSV are also monitoring the situation, United are said to have gained an advantage in the pursuit of Kinteh, owing to the combination of his playing style – described as a blend of “an old-style stopper and a modern playmaker” – and the club’s proactive approach to securing his signature.
