Not Anderson: Man Utd now want another Forest star who costs \u00a380m less<\/p>\n
After monitoring Elliot Anderson for months, Manchester United are now reportedly considering a move for his Nottingham Forest teammate Ibrahim Sangare.<\/strong><\/p>\n The Red Devils are plotting a major midfield ahead of next summer. The department is already suffering a shortage of options, and Casemiro\u2019s announced departure<\/a> will only aggravate the situation.<\/p>\n Moreover, Manuel Ugarte has failed to impress after more than 18 months at Old Trafford, while Bruno Fernandes\u2019 future apparently hinges on several factors.<\/p>\n Over the past few months, several sources in the media have identified Anderson as Man Utd\u2019s priority target<\/a> to bolster the middle of the park.<\/p>\n But while it remains to be seen if INEOS are still hellbent on landing the 23-year-old, sports journalist Steve Bates<\/a> claims that the club\u2019s directors have been highly impressed with Sangare, considering him the right profile for the defensive midfielder role.<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n The Ivorian began his career in his home nation at the academy of AS Dengu\u00e9l\u00e9, before making his way to Europe through the gates of Toulouse in 2016.<\/p>\n After four years in France, Sangare signed for PSV Eindhoven in 2020, and his exploits in the Netherlands earned him a \u00a330 million move to Forest in 2023.<\/p>\n (Photo by Naomi Baker\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n The Abidjan native has been a key figure at the City Ground ever since. His contract with the club is valid until 2028, and Transfermarkt<\/a> currently values him at \u20ac22 million (circa \u00a319m), making him a significantly cheaper alternative to Anderson, whose asking price is said to be around \u00a3100 million.<\/p>\n Since Man Utd are planning to sign at least two new midfielders, bringing Sangare shouldn\u2019t necessarily rule out Anderson\u2019s arrival. After all, the two players have proven to be compatible over the past few seasons, with the England international performing box-to-box duties, and the Ivorian operating in a deeper role.<\/p>\n Nevertheless, United might be reluctant to spend \u00a3100 million on a new No.8 now that Kobbie Mainoo has made the role his.<\/p>\n Instead, they could allocate the bulk of the midfield transfer kit on a new No.6, either a deep-lying playmaker like Adam Wharton or an enforcer like Carlos Baleba, while simultaneously gunning for Sangare, who is considered an affordable option.<\/p>\nMan Utd impressed by Forest star Ibrahim Sangare<\/h2>\n
Why targeting the affordable Sangare makes sense for Man Utd<\/h2>\n