Manchester United are in talks with AIK for 16-year-old Kevin Boubacar Filling. The Swedish forward has 2 goals in 7 senior games and is valued at 3 million euros, with German clubs also interested. Deal structure, development pathway, and youth transfer regulations are central to negotiations.
Manchester United coached by Rúben Amorim, are negotiating with AIK Stockholm for the transfer of 16-year-old forward Kevin Boubacar Filling.
Talks are understood to be at an exploratory stage, focused on broad terms of a deal and the development pathway that would await the teenager in England. United are evaluating the structure of a package that could include fixed compensation near the three million euro valuation, performance-related add-ons, and a potential sell-on clause to protect AIK’s long-term interests if the player makes a lucrative future move.
Filling has already made a noteworthy impact in Sweden by scoring two goals in seven senior appearances despite starting only twice. That early productivity has caught the attention of recruitment departments across Europe. For United, the profile is attractive for several reasons. First, he is comfortable attacking through the middle but can also drift to either channel, which suits Amorim’s preference for mobile forwards who press aggressively and threaten depth. Second, his off-the-ball intensity is advanced for his age, with repeated sprints to close down center backs and quick reactions to loose balls around the box. Third, his finishing shows variety for a 16-year-old, with one-touch efforts inside the area and composed shots after short carries.
German clubs are also monitoring the situation, which could influence AIK’s negotiating position. Teams in the Bundesliga have a strong recent record of accelerating the development of young attackers by giving them minutes early, and that pathway is often compelling for prospects and their families. United’s counterargument rests on the scale of the club’s academy and the resources available to integrate a high-upside forward into a tailored program. The pitch typically includes nutritional support, position-specific coaching, a clear plan for Under-21 minutes, and a trigger for loans in the Championship or a partner club once the player is ready for senior football outside Sweden.
Any agreement would need to respect international regulations for the transfer of minors. For a 16-year-old moving from Sweden to England, eligibility, registration, and education plans are central considerations. Clubs often handle this by securing an agreement in principle and then staggering the sporting integration with a focus on education, family support, and phased exposure to the new environment. It is common to set milestones that unlock appearance bonuses or salary tiers only after the player reaches certain age thresholds and completes defined development tasks.
From AIK’s perspective, the decision is a balance between maximizing value and preserving an environment where the player can continue to grow. A sale with a loan-back is one model, allowing Filling to keep accumulating Allsvenskan minutes in a familiar context while the buying club gains long-term control of his registration. Another model is a transfer that delays the actual move date, which can minimize disruption to education and family life. Either structure helps AIK maintain competitive performance in the short term while benefiting from a headline fee and possible upside through add-ons.
On the pitch, Filling’s game is built on acceleration over the first five meters, a direct first touch toward goal, and a knack for arriving in scoring positions between the penalty spot and the edge of the six-yard box. He shows awareness in combination play, frequently using wall passes to slip behind a defensive line and then finishing early before the goalkeeper can set. Areas for growth are typical for his age. He can add strength to hold off senior defenders, refine timing on back-post runs when the cross originates from the opposite flank, and expand his weaker-foot passing range in tight spaces. Coaches also note that his pressing can become even more efficient with better angle selection to funnel opponents into traps, something Amorim’s staff historically emphasizes.
For United, this pursuit aligns with a broader strategy of recruiting young forwards with elite movement and high development ceilings. The club has invested heavily in analytics and live scouting to identify teenagers who generate repeatable shot quality rather than relying on low-percentage strikes. Filling’s current output in Sweden, small sample size aside, suggests he can continue to find high-value chances when the tempo increases. The key question is how quickly he adapts to the physical demands and decision speed of English football.
If negotiations progress, expect careful messaging from all sides. AIK will want to highlight their role in nurturing a top prospect. United will stress the educational and welfare components of any move. The player’s camp will focus on balance between opportunity and stability, ensuring the pathway is realistic rather than rushed. German interest could persist in the background, ready to re-engage if talks slow or if the proposed structure does not meet the family’s preferences.
A timeline will likely hinge on regulatory clearance, academic planning, and AIK’s competitive calendar. In the meantime, Filling’s performances will be watched closely. Each senior minute offers fresh data on his ability to find separation against experienced defenders, protect the ball under contact, and convert chances under pressure. Those indicators will inform final valuations, add-on triggers, and the choice of whether a loan-back or delayed arrival best serves his development.
