Manchester United are reportedly hoping to hijack a second AC Milan transfer by convincing Youssouf Fofana to join them over the Serie A side. The Red Devils have focused their attention on signing a defensive midfielder in the final month of the transfer window.
It has been claimed that United have moved on from Manuel Ugarte over Paris Saint-Germain’s £51million valuation. The Premier League side will only pay what they believe to be a fair price for their top targets, having previously been criticised for overspending.
United have already spent around £90m on Leny Yoro and Joshua Zirkzee. They will reportedly not rekindle their interest in Ugarte unless PSG reduce their asking price. That, though, seems unlikely as the French champions want to recoup what they paid Sporting Lisbon to sign the 23-year-old a year ago.
According to Gazzetta dello Sport, Monaco midfielder Fofana is among United’s list of alternatives and an 'ambitious project' has been presented to him. The report claims that Fofana has already agreed personal terms with the Serie A side but would be open to moving to Old Trafford.
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Talks between Milan and Monaco are reportedly proceeding ‘slowly’ and there is no sign of an agreement taking place at this stage. That could allow United to move in, but they have not yet made an offer for the player.
Fofana has entered the final year of his contract at Monaco and reportedly has little interest in signing an extension. The French club are therefore keen to offload him this summer to ensure they receive a fee.
Should the former Strasbourg player move to Old Trafford, it would be the second time United have beaten AC Milan to a signing this summer. The Rossoneri were widely reported to be interested in signing Zirkzee before the Dutchman swapped Bologna for the Red Devils.
The 23-year-old has been signed by United in a £34m deal. The versatile forward scored 14 goals during his two years at Bologna, having previously progressed through the academy at Bayern Munich.
Erik ten Hag will still want more additions to his squad, with a defensive midfielder high on the list of priorities. There is concern that Casemiro’s powers are on the wane, while it seems that United will not go back to Fiorentina to conclude a permanent move for former loanee Sofyan Amrabat.
Wide-ranging reports have linked United with Brazilian duo Joao Gomes, of Wolves, and Andre, who plays his football for Fluminense.
