Manchester United Sign Liverpool Midfielder Isaac Konde
Manchester United have struck an agreement to sign 16-year-old Liverpool midfielder Isaac Konde, prising one of the Reds’ academy prospects away from Anfield in a notable youth-level move.
The deal, reported by Fabrizio Romano, has seen United complete the formalities over the last 24 hours, with Konde now set for a switch to Old Trafford. The teenager has featured six times for Liverpool in the Under-18s Premier League this season, registering one assist and catching the eye enough to prompt a bold move from their historic rivals.
For United, this is the latest step in a clear reshaping of their academy ranks. While senior recruitment dominates headlines, the club have been quietly busy at youth level, both in terms of exits and arrivals.
Recent Departures
Arsenal swooped earlier in the summer, taking Habeeb Ogunneye and James Scanlon to north London on permanent deals. Those departures underlined the level of outside interest in United’s young talent and forced a rethink behind the scenes.
Another prospect, 17-year-old striker Louie Bradbury, has also moved on. He joined Stoke City on a permanent basis, signing a two-year contract with an option for an extra season that could keep him at the Championship club through the 2028/29 campaign.
United marked his exit with a detailed statement, reflecting the investment they had made in his development. The club noted that the Shrewsbury-born forward arrived at Under-14s level, earned his scholarship in 2025, and went on to make five appearances for the Under-18s in the 2024/25 season, including a late substitute outing in the FA Youth Cup fourth round. Bradbury hit eight goals in the Under-18 Premier League last term and also featured at Premier League 2 level, enough for Stoke to commit to his long-term potential.
United’s academy overhaul has not been straightforward. They pushed to bring in Leicester City teenager Louis Page, only to see that pursuit collapse when the two clubs failed to agree terms before the deadline. Page remains with the League One side, a reminder that not every target can be prised away.
Konde’s capture, though, lands a direct blow in the long-running rivalry with Liverpool and signals that United intend to be aggressive in rebuilding their youth pathway. For a 16-year-old midfielder stepping from one giant to another, the next chapter starts under a very bright spotlight.
