Colorado Rapids winger Dantouma Toure is now on trial with Arsenal after previously being considered by Rangers, according to New York Times journalist Brian Sciaretta.
The 17-year-old is currently in Europe to try out for a number of clubs in order to see whether he can get a professional contract.
Toure has been praised for his ability by Rapids’ General Manager Padraig Smith, who thinks the winger does have the potential to go right to the top:
“Yaya [ed – his nickname] is an exciting talent who has already shown tremendous potential through his performances in the USL Championship as a 16-year-old. He’s powerful and explosive on the ball and has an ability to take on defenders that allows him to be a difference-maker. We believe he has all the qualities necessary to develop into an elite player and are excited to see what the future holds for him.”
The fact that he has been playing on loan at Colorado Switchbacks in the USL Championship would suggest that he is nowhere near being ready to play at first-team level in a top European league.
Of course, you wouldn’t expect that at 17 years of age, and it remains to be seen how many offers Toure will receive in the coming weeks. It is still promising that the young American accepted a trial from the Gers and that the club are under consideration for a player who many believe is a very bright young prospect.
