Manchester United are in talks with AS Monaco over signing midfielder Youssouf Fofana.The 25-year-old French international, who has entered the final year of his contract, could bring a lot to the table for the Red Devils.
Fofana, who joined Monaco from Strasbourg in 2020, has made 175 appearances for the club, scoring seven goals. He had a solid season in Ligue 1 last year, playing 32 matches, scoring four goals, and providing four assists.
His versatility in midfield has caught the attention of Manchester United, who are keen to strengthen their squad.
Sky Sports News‘ Nubaid Haroon believes Fofana could be a valuable asset for United as per Nubaid Fofana is an all-round midfielder. People say he is a holding midfielder, but he is well known for giving tight passes. He could be a regular starter, especially with Kobe Minu still developing.
Fofana’s ability to transition the ball quickly and make tight passes under pressure is something United could benefit from.
Manchester United are also considering other midfield options like Richard Rios from Palmeiras, Burnley’s Sander Berge, Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi, and Fiorentina’s Sofyan Amrabat. Interest remains in Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Manuel Ugarte, but not at the high prices being quoted.
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Potential role of Youssouf Fofana at Manchester United
United are looking for a defensive midfielder, and Fofana fits the bill. With his ability to play both defensive and attacking roles, he could offer balance in the midfield. His stats from last season show he scored four goals and had a total goal involvement of eight, equating to 0.27 per 90 minutes. His non-penalty expected goals (npxG) per 90 minutes is 0.17, putting him in the top 69 percentile of Ligue 1 players.
Fofana’s passing accuracy and ability to control the game from the midfield could make him an ideal partner for Casemiro. His experience in Ligue 1 and on the international stage with France adds to his credentials.