Manchester United are preparing an offer for midfield 'monster' Mamadou Sangare after being 'completely charmed' by the Lens star, according to reports in France. Old Trafford bosses intend to welcome at least one more midfielder to the club this summer after agreeing a £35m deal with Atalanta for Brazil's Ederson.
Ruben Amorim wanted Manchester United to strengthen in midfield last summer and that area of the pitch is once again a priority for new permanent manager Michael Carrick. Casemiro struggled during the early part of his United career but had become an influential member of the squad by the time he announced his departure.
Midfield overhaul at Old Trafford
Manchester United are also looking to sign one or possibly even two more midfielders as they are open to offers for Manuel Ugarte, who has underwhelmed since his £50m move from PSG. The Red Devils have been heavily linked with Nottingham Forest's Elliot Anderson and West Ham's Mateus Fernandes, while they have also shown interest in Crystal Palace's Adam Wharton, Brighton's Carlos Baleba and Newcastle United's Sandro Tonali.
United's first-choice target, England international Anderson, has been the subject of two massive bids from Manchester City, the second worth a staggering £122m. It was reported last week that Manchester United remained 'optimistic' of persuading Anderson to move to Old Trafford but they do not intend to get into a bidding war with local rivals City.
As a result, United have also been weighing up a move for Fernandes following West Ham's relegation to the Championship, but the Hammers are still asking for around £80m for the Portuguese star. Sir Jim Ratcliffe also faces severe competition from Real Madrid and Jose Mourinho in the race to sign Fernandes, so United have been looking at alternative options.
Sangare emerges as key target
One new target, according to Foot Mercato, is Lens and Mali midfielder Sangare, who has reportedly 'charmed' the Premier League giants. The French outlet say midfield 'monster' Sangare was a 'true force' in Ligue 1 last season as he helped Lens challenge PSG for the title, eventually finishing as runners-up, and win the Coupe de France.
It is claimed Sangare has attracted interest from around a dozen clubs across Europe but that Manchester United are at the front of the queue and 'preparing an offer'. Lens signed Sangare from Austrian club Rapid Wien for just 8m euros last summer and the 23-year-old is already valued at at least £35m. United have reportedly been 'seduced' by Sangare and are 'determined' to secure his signature during the upcoming transfer window, with Lens resigned to losing him.
Sangare, who was named in the Ligue 1 team of the year, has earned 15 caps for Mali, who failed to qualify for the World Cup.
Danny Murphy urges United to sign Anderson or Tonali
As Manchester United chase further midfield signings, ex-England midfielder Danny Murphy has told Metro that Old Trafford chiefs should be doing 'everything they can' to sign either Anderson or Tonali. 'The two obvious ones, for me, would be Elliot Anderson or Sandro Tonali,' Murphy told NetBet football earlier this week. 'Both players have wonderful energy and great tenacity. They are the perfect type of Premier League midfielders who would improve United.
'Tonali's all-round game, he can play offensive and defensive, scoring goals and getting on the ball, he's also somebody that would be able to cope with the responsibility of playing for United for sure. Elliot Anderson is the same, the problem is though lots of clubs are going to want them. I think City are in for Anderson and there will be takers for Tonali, too. But if I was the head of recruitment at Manchester United, I'd be doing everything I can to get one of those two.'
Carrick will hope to build on the promising start to his tenure next season after guiding United to a third-place finish last term.
