French club hints towards £17 million exit for Man United-linked midfielder

Manchester United will be looking at adding to their midfield when the summer transfer window opens and there appears to be a cut-price option available.

The Reds have several targets for the summer, with their defence in desperate need of reinforcements, particularly after Raphaël Varane’s departure was announced last week.

However, INEOS will also be looking at the midfield. Christian Eriksen and Casemiro are both likely to be sold in the coming months, while Sofyan Amrabat will return to Fiorentina after his loan expires.

Kobbie Mainoo has been excellent this season, but United will be wary of relying on the 19-year-old too much going forward.

One player that could be available in the coming months is Monaco midfielder Youssouf Fofana, with Fabrizio Romano claiming that the French club have hinted towards the exit of the 25-year-old this summer.

Fofana has been linked with an Old Trafford move previously. He is a deeper midfielder who has excelled in Ligue 1; this term, he has four goals and four assists in 35 appearances across all competitions.

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Romano has added that he estimates the French midfielder could be available for around £17 million, which would be suitable for INEOS, who are looking to address many different areas within the United squad without risking FFP breaches.

“Monaco have hinted that Youssouf Fofana could be a name to leave the club this summer, but it’s still early to know for sure where he could go and for what kind of price,” wrote Romano in his Daily Briefing on Wednesday.

“My understanding is that Monaco will communicate the asking price for Fofana in one or two weeks – I think he could be available around €20m (£17m) but that’s just my opinion.

“There has been interest in Fofana before – last summer, he was on Manchester United and Inter list but it’s quiet with Inter now. Let’s see what the new Man United board will decide to do, while there could also be other clubs ready to join the race.”