Tromsø’s Kinteh: Man Utd & Chelsea Interest & Record Transfer Fee?
MARBELLA, Spain – Tromsø IL is navigating a delicate balance this offseason, acknowledging the growing interest in its star players while simultaneously preparing for another competitive Eliteserien campaign. Sporting Director Lars Petter Kræmer-Andressen addressed the speculation surrounding potential departures during a press briefing at the team’s training camp in Marbella on .
“We know that we have several players who are very attractive,” Kræmer-Andressen stated diplomatically, as reported by Nettavisen. The club is currently using the warm-weather training camp to prepare for the upcoming season, following a successful 2025 campaign that has drawn attention to its talent pool.
Much of the focus centers on defender Abubacarr Sedi Kinteh, who has reportedly attracted interest from several major European clubs. Reports from the British tabloid Daily Mail linked the 19-year-old Gambian international with both Manchester United and Chelsea. More recently, the Italian sports newspaper Corriere dello Sport indicated that Manchester United officials Omar Berrada and Jason Wilcox are preparing a summer bid for Kinteh.
Kræmer-Andressen acknowledged the rumors but cautioned against reading too much into them. “Number one, I think it’s great to have reached a point where our players are being talked about in those places,” he said. However, he also injected a note of realism, adding, “At the same time, I think there’s a lot of noise out there too.” He declined to specify which clubs had expressed concrete interest in Kinteh during the recent transfer window.
The interest in Kinteh is a testament to his strong performance last season. Kræmer-Andressen emphasized that scouts from across Europe are closely monitoring players like Kinteh, but stressed that observation doesn’t necessarily translate into offers. “That doesn’t mean they’re going to buy them,” he clarified.
When pressed on the financial threshold for a potential sale, Kræmer-Andressen was firm. “If we are to let anyone go this summer, it will be for sums well above our previous transfer records,” he stated. This suggests that Tromsø is prepared to hold out for a significant fee for Kinteh, potentially eclipsing the club record of approximately 35 million kroner received for Lasse Nordås’s transfer to Luton Town last year.
That sale was previously described by the club as “one of the biggest sales in the club’s history.” A sale of Kinteh could even surpass the long-standing record of around 40 million kroner received from Trabzonspor for Rune Lange in 2000.
Nettavisen previously reported that Tromsø rejected a bid of around 60 million kroner from Slavia Prague for Kinteh last year. Kræmer-Andressen reiterated that any potential offers would need to reach a similar level. “We have to be in those numbers if anything is going to happen,” he told Nettavisen.
Kræmer-Andressen, who is currently serving as both Sporting Director and interim CEO, has been busy managing transfer activity throughout the winter window. The club is keen to retain its key players while also exploring opportunities to strengthen the squad ahead of the new Eliteserien season.
The situation highlights the challenges faced by clubs like Tromsø in balancing sporting ambition with financial realities. While the prospect of selling a player to a major European league is enticing, the club is determined to secure a fee that reflects Kinteh’s value and allows them to reinvest in the team.
Kinteh himself was unavailable for comment during the training camp, leaving speculation to continue as the summer transfer window approaches. The coming months will be crucial for Tromsø as they navigate the potential departure of one of their most prized assets and prepare for another challenging season in the Eliteserien.