BREAKING: Manchester United willing to fight in race for French midfielder who could be available for £30 million
Manchester United are reportedly ready to ‘overcome’ the competition to sign Youssouf Fofana next summer, according to reports.
Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United have been linked with a plethora of midfielders as they begin to look for replacements for Casemiro.
The Brazilian midfielder, who joined the club from Real Madrid, has struggled this season after being one of the club’s best players in 2022/23 and becoming a United fan favourite.
Now, a move for a new defensive midfielder could be on the cards and, according to reports, AS Monaco midfielder Youssouf Fofana is among the options.
Fofana update
According to a report from Italian outlet TuttoJuve, the Red Devils are willing to fight for the French midfielder as they bid to ‘overcome’ Juventus and Paris Saint Germain in the race for the 24-year-old.
Fofana joined the principality club from RC Strasbourg in January 2020 and has been a revelation for the French giants with a move away from Ligue 1 looking likely next summer.
Juventus have been heavily linked with the midfielder but it looks like United are attempting to steal a march on their rivals to try and sign the Frenchman.
Fofana featured for France against Gibraltar and scored for his national side in the 14-0 win.
Joao Neves, from SL Benfica, has also been linked with a move to Old Trafford but his release clause, believed to be around £100m, could well prove to be prohibitive.
Read more: Manchester United willing to fight in race for French midfielder who could be available for £30 million
Midfield in need of improvement
An energetic, dominant midfielder in the style of Fofana may well be what United need as they struggle, at times, to physically impose themselves in the bigger games, in particular.
A midfielder with a high passing accuracy, and one who can consistently progress the ball, has been required all season. Christian Eriksen can do it but he can’t be relied upon consistently and lacks physical strength.
Fofana completes a high amount of progressive passes (7.89 per 90 as per FBREF) but his pass completion rate of just 81 per cent ranks him in the bottom 40 per cent for midfielders.
At £30 million, he could prove to be a steal if United decided to push ahead with their interest.
