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Premier League Interest in Tromsø Defender Kinteh

Published 12 February 2026

Abubacarr Sedi Kinteh, a 19-year-old Gambian defender playing for Norwegian club Tromsø, has drawn significant interest from Premier League powerhouses Chelsea and Manchester United, as well as Swiss sides FC Basel and BSC Young Boys, amid a burgeoning transfer race for the promising talent.

Kinteh joined Tromsø last March on a five-year contract after impressing during a trial, having been scouted through the club's partnership with the Mawade Wade academy in Senegal. In his debut professional season, the left-sided center-back made 21 appearances in Norway's Eliteserien, helping Tromsø secure a third-place position. His athletic profile stands out: he has clocked speeds of nearly 37 kilometers per hour, comparable to Tottenham's Micky van de Ven, and combines physical strength with solid ball control. Kinteh excels at initiating attacks with both short and long passes, though observers note he remains raw in defensive consistency, benefiting from Tromsø's structured back-three system.

The Gambia international earned his first senior cap in October during a World Cup qualifier against Gabon, further elevating his profile. Tromsø, who signed him at a bargain rate, now values the...

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