Report | Moussa Dembele back on Manchester United’s radar
Manchester United are reportedly keen on moves for LOSC Lille’s Boubakary Soumare and Olympique Lyon’s Moussa Dembele during the January transfer window. The Premier League club lack depth in certain areas and are thus looking to bring reinforcements in January to strengthen the squad.
Manchester United finally returned back to winning ways with consecutive victories against Partizan Belgrade in the UEFA Europa League and Norwich City in the Premier League. The 3-1 win against Norwich was their first win in the league after a close win against Leicester in mid-September. However, two wins on the trot do not deny the fact that Red Devils are struggling. 13 points in 10 games don't support Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s cause and it remains evident that the club needs to make signings in certain areas.
According to English outlet ESPN, Manchester United have recognised Boubakary Soumare as a potential candidate to replace Paul Pogba, who remains unsettled and is likely to leave in the next summer transfer window. Soumare has been watched by many European clubs this season and Manchester United are now ready to get the ball rolling to try to recruit him before anyone else. Ed Woodward sent scouts to watch the Frenchman during LOSC Lille’s clash with Valencia in the UEFA Champions League and was impressed.
The 20-year-old had a huge impact on the game and was superb which left quite an impression. ESPN further reported that the club officials feel he is the perfect replacement for Paul Pogba, who is bound to leave Old Trafford soon. Both Soumare and Pogba share similar skillsets and with the Lille man being just 20, he has the time on his side to develop into one of the top-rated midfielders. His deal expires in the summer but Lille are hoping that he will sign a new deal before a potential exit in June.
In order to sign Soumare, United will have to shell £40 million. Manchester United have faced real goalscoring problems and are out of back-up strikers forcing the club to jump in the Winter transfer window to sign a striker. The Old Trafford club had been keeping tabs on Lyon striker Moussa Dembele ever since the Frenchman played for Fulham, who has been excellent for Lyon since his move, scoring 22 goals in 43 Ligue 1 games, and has 7 goals in 10 games this season.