Manchester United in 'dialogue' with 25-year-old due to become free agent next year

Manchester United remain in ‘dialogue’ with AS Monaco for the signing of midfielder Youssouf Fofana this summer, according to Sky Sports. They claim there is a ‘deal to be done’ for the player in this window.

The midfielder is out of contract next year so his current club risk losing him for free. Therefore, they could look to cash in on him now to avoid losing him for nothing in 2025, which would open the door for potential suitors. United could see the 25-year-old as someone to bolster their midfield department. They finished 8th in the Premier League last season and although they won the FA Cup, they will want to perform better.

Erik ten Hag could do with some more new faces over the coming weeks before the deadline later this month. Fofana would fit the bill and would arrive at Old Trafford with some decent pedigree behind him.

He was part of France’s squad for Euro 2024 as they were beaten by eventual winners Spain in the tournament in Germany at the semi-final stage. He has won 21 caps for his country to date and has scored three goals. The Paris-born man started his career with spells as a youngster at Espérance Paris 19ème, Red Star and Drancy. Strasbourg snapped him up in 2017 and he initially became a key player for their B team.

Fofana then broke into their first-team and went on to make 41 appearances in all competitions, finding the net on four occasions. His performances alerted the attention of Monaco and he ended up moving there in 2019. It took him a few months to adapt to life at Stade Louis II but he has really found his feet over recent times. He has played 175 matches for them to date and has scored seven goals.

Monaco’s Chief Executive Officer Thiago Scuro admitted earlier this summer that he could move on, as per OneFootball: “There were good opportunities for him to leave last summer. It was his decision to stay because of his personal goals. It was a very good decision for us because he had a very good and consistent season, for him too as it was probably his best season at AS Monaco. He is probably one of the players that we are open to selling. We will see the opportunities that he has. It is still too early to make a decision.”

United kick-start the 2024/25 season with their Community Shield clash against Manchester City at Wembley this weekend. They will be eager to start with a win to boost confidence levels and get some silverware in the cabinet early. The Red Devils face their first league opponents Fulham at home on Friday 16th August. That is a good opportunity to secure three points in front of their own fans.

Time will tell whether they are able to get more deals over the line. Fofana would certainly be an eye-catching arrival if they got him and would inject more quality into their ranks.