Manager announces he beat Manchester United to ‘absolutely exceptional talent’

Ouedraogo, 18, was one of many hungry young talents on the radar of a club swapping fading superstars of the Glazer era for future superstars under Ineos.

According to BILD, Man United made contact with Schalke last week. Ouedraogo, who has a long 6ft 4in frame and technical mastery, has drawn comparisons with a teenage Paul Pogba, supposedly on. his way to Bayern Munich before the Bundesliga giants pulled out.

Manchester United miss the interesting target

However, this did not pave the way for United to cross the finish line.

Ouedraogo is the latest rising star to commit his development to the esteemed football academy that is RB Leipzig, ending speculation over his future by putting pen to paper on a five-year deal at the Red Bull Arena.

“With the signing of Assan Ouedraogo, we have been able to bring an absolutely exceptional talent to RB Leipzig,” sporting director Rouven Schroder told Leipzig’s website. “Despite several offers from other top clubs in the Bundesliga and Europe, Assan chose us and our path.

“This shows once again that RB Leipzig is a top destination for young players with special qualities. We have been in contact with Assan for a long time, we have put a lot of effort into getting him and we are very happy that he is now wearing the RBL shirt.

“His skills are a perfect fit for our style of play and he can play in any position in midfield. Assan is intelligent, athletic and technically excellent. In addition, his dynamism also means that he brings a lot of power forward so that he repeatedly initiates dangerous goal situations or scores goals himself.”

Another United summer target – Benjamin Sesko – included the school of thought that Red Bull do, indeed, give you wings. Sesko has been the subject of a bid from the Old Trafford outfit but joins Ouedraogo in confirming his commitment to Marco Rose’s side.

Assan Ouedraogo leaves Schalke for RB Leipzig

Leipzig reportedly paid £8m to second-tier Schalke.

And in explaining his decision, Ouedraogo admitted the chance to follow in the footsteps of Timo Werner, Dayot Upamecano, Ibrahima Konate and Dominik Szoboszlai was one he felt unable to turn down.

“I am very happy to be part of RB Leipzig from July,” says the German youth star. “It is of course a big step for me, but I am ready for this new challenge and I am looking forward to everything that awaits me in Leipzig.

I am coming to a club that is one of the best clubs in the Bundesliga. (Leipzig) plays in the Champions League, has special conditions and a clear philosophy. Many talented players have been able to mature into top players here in recent years and develop at the highest level.

“That’s my goal too.

“I now have the confidence to take on the next exciting challenge – and the people in charge at RB Leipzig have shown me the best perspective in many good discussions. We have a lot planned together in the coming years. Now, the most important thing for me is to arrive and show my performance on the pitch.”