While Manchester United have made some undoubtedly excellent progress in the transfer market, further improvements are still required.
The signings of Leny Yoro and Joshua Zirkzee have provided a much-needed lick of paint both at the front and the back of Erik ten Hag’s team – while Noussair Mazraoui offers valuable cover in either full-back position – but the lack of midfield reinforcements means this still feels like a sports car with an engine leaking oil.
Yes, Manchester United will have Kobbie Mainoo available from the off this time. Toby Collyer looks well placed to make a breakthrough of his own after impressing Erik ten Hag in pre-season.
A refreshed Mason Mount, meanwhile, is chomping at the bit as he looks to put a disastrous, injury-hit debut season behind him.
Still, with discussions over Paris Saint-Germain’s Manuel Ugarte stalling amid the lack of movement around Scott McTominay or Casemiro, everything is on hold right now regarding Man United’s midfield overhaul.
Manchester United still in mix for Youssouf Fofana
Fortunately, AC Milan do not appear to be in any position to take advantage of a Red Devils side stuck in the mud and praying for departures.
Gianluca di Marzio reports that Milan failed with an opening offer for Monaco’s Youssouf Fofana.
The Rossoneri’s bid fell well short of a £30 million asking price. Monaco are refusing to budge on their valuation either, despite Fofana being out of contract in 2025 and clearly in no rush to sign an extension.
The Fofana saga, then, looks destined to drag on towards the September deadline. By which point Man United will hope to have the funds in place to bring in either Fofana or Ugarte. Or, possibly, both.
Monaco may have signed Fofana replacement
Monaco director Thiago Scuro confirmed on Tuesday, via Fabrizio Romano, that the powerhouse France international will be allowed to leave. Albeit only if the price is right.
“I don’t see any conflict. But my job is to protect the club, regardless of the consequences,” Scuro said. “There is an agreement for the transfer.
“At the moment, it is a question of negotiation. Our conditions must be respected.”
Monaco are no fools, however.
They would obviously prefer to cash in now rather than risk losing Fofana for free next year.
Furthermore, the arrival of Lamine Camara from FC Metz this week betrays a side planning a midfield overhaul of their own.
The expectation remains that Fofana will exit, offset potentially by the £11 million arrival of one of Ligue 1’s bright young prospects in 20-year-old Senegal international Lamine Camara.
Interestingly, both Camara and Fofana have been likened to France great N’Golo Kante.
Per FootMercato, there was interest from Saudi Arabia in Camara, while Premier League newcomers Southampton failed with an initial £8.5 million bid.
Fofana, meanwhile, could be one of the big headline makers of the window’s final few weeks.
Milan’s interest opens the possibility for the Rossoneri to take some revenge on United – they wanted Jishua Zirkzee from Bologna, after all – though if this summer has proven anything it’s that the Red Devils still possess a pulling power most clubs can only dream of.
“My future? I have spoken about it with the hierarchy. (What I want) isn’t a secret,” Fofana, a member of France’s Euro 2024 squad, told Get France Football News when explaining his desire to leave Monaco recently.
“We had exchanges and they agreed to accompany me in this new stage (looking for a club). We were in agreement that we would accompany each other in this process in which everyone should be a winner, be it me or the club.”
- READ MORE: Manchester United confirmed signings, transfers in, out, loan exits, releases for 2024/25
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