Erik ten Hag reportedly wants French enforcer Youssouf Fofana in the summer as a direct replacement for the underperforming Casemiro.
According to Fichajes, Erik ten Hag views Youssouf Fofana as the perfect replacement for Casemiro. The Brazilian could leave in the summer as part of INEOS’s restructure of the playing squad, with the Frenchman available for just €30 million in the next window. However, there is competition for his signature.
Erik ten Hag wants Youssouf Fofana
There are still considerable doubts about whether Erik Ten Hag will start next season in Manchester United’s dugout after massive criticism of his playing style. The Dutch manager may not be thinking about his immediate future and is focused on building his squad amid recent comments about whether the team is in a position to challenge for the Premier League title.
He will want several players in different positions and is already thinking about bringing in a holding midfielder. AS Monaco’s €30 million-rated Frenchman Youssouf Fofana has come into consideration, with the Dutchman viewing the enforcer as an ideal replacement for Casemiro.
Casemiro could leave Manchester United with links to a switch to Saudi Arabia. The Brazilian midfielder has underperformed this season, with suggestions that the club would want to cash in and free up his massive wages. Alternatively, he has been played as a centre-back in recent games, and ten Hag could convert him into a defender to help ease out his problems playing in the holding midfield role.
Fofana has been one of the best midfielders in France this season and could eye a move to the Premier League in the upcoming window. He has a year left on his AS Monaco deal, with the Ligue 1 side reportedly seeking a fee of around €30 million for the French international.
Manchester United face competition for Fofana
Manchester United are not alone in looking at Fofana ahead of the summer, with Arsenal also linked with the midfielder. The Gunners are looking for a long-term partner for Declan Rice, with either one of Thomas Partey or Jorginho pencilled in to leave the club in the summer.
West Ham are also keen, with the Hammers looking at Fofana earlier as a replacement for Rice when he departed for Arsenal. Either way, Manchester United will have to compete with some of their domestic rivals, maybe even Spanish sides, with Atletico Madrid considered as suitors for the €30 million-rated Frenchman.
