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AC Milan and West Ham have reportedly submitted bids for AS Monaco star and Manchester United midfield target Youssouf Fofana.
The midfield is an area of the pitch United are looking to revamp to give themselves a good chance of succeeding next season.
There is a good chance that Casemiro will depart Old Trafford this summer and if so, the Brazilian will need to be replaced. Casemiro endured a poor 2023/24 campaign and United would be best served by upgrading on him.
Some of the options under consideration to bolster Erik ten Hagg’s options in the middle of the park include Manuel Ugarte of Paris Saint-Germain and Fofana. Talks with PSG remain ongoing for Ugarte but it appears that the two sides remain apart in terms of their valuation of the player.
Fofana represents a cheaper alternative for the Red Devils without compromising on quality. Fofana boasts of incredible physicality and poise that would enable him to easily adapt to Premer League football. In addition to his dynamism and defensive prowess, he’s an excellent passer and dribbler.
A previous report covered by The Peoples Person relayed that Monaco want between €18-20m. It has been suggested that they could ask for as much as €35m for the 25-year-old, who has entered the final 12 months of his contract.
United are not the only club chasing Fofana. AC Milan also want him and already struck an agreement over personal terms with him.
According to Gianluca Di Marzio, Milan recently tabled a €17m offer for Fofana, but this was turned down by his employers.
The Italian journalist notes, “Milan continues to work to strengthen their midfield. The priority remains Youssouf Fofana of Monaco. For the Frenchman, however, there was the inclusion of Manchester United, Atletico Madrid, but not only and now the Monegasques are asking for 35 million euros.”
“In the last few hours, however, the Rossoneri have made Monaco their first official offer for Fofana, amounting to 17 million euros. As anticipated, the French are asking for 35 million euros, but the feeling is that the deal can be closed for a lower figure, but not half the Monegasques’ request.”
Di Marzio adds that another unnamed English club submitted a bigger proposal for Fofana but the United target is not really considering them as his priority is to play for Milan.
L’Equipe’s Loïc Tanzi may have revealed the identity of this English club – West Ham.
Tanzi wrote on X (formerly Twitter), “AC Milan sent a proposal to Monaco of 17M € for Youssouf Fofana. Offer refused.”
“The Frenchman has already agreed with the Italian club. At the same time, West Ham made 35M €.”
L’AC Milan a envoyé une proposition à Monaco de 17M€ pour Youssouf Fofana. Offre refusée. Le Français est déjà d’accord avec le club italien. Dans le même temps, West Ham a fait 35M€. #Mercato
— Loïc Tanzi (@Tanziloic) July 28, 2024
If United are indeed intent on luring Fofana to Old Trafford, it’s imperative they move with speed to ensure they’re not pipped to his signature.
At the moment, it appears that the Red Devils are firmly behind in the race to land the Frenchman but the situation remains open.
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