Manchester United are favourites to sign £45 million star

Manchester United are reportedly leading the race for the £45 million wonderkid’s signature although AC Milan and Liverpool are also interested.

Midfield is one of the strongest areas in this Manchester United team. While there might be need for reinforcements in other areas, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has an embarrassment of riches to pick from in the middle of the park.

But if there is one midfield position that they could do with a signing in, it is defensive midfield. While Nemanja Matic has had a spectacular career, he is getting up there in age now. As a result, he is clearly no longer the player he once was and it is time to inject some new blood there.

That man could end up being Lille’s Boubakary Soumare. AC Milan have been linked with the midfielder in the past but Italian journalist Vito Angele has claimed that it is Manchester United who are leading the race for his signature.

As reported by Sports Mole, he said:

"“Man Utd are working on him and they are the favourites to sign him right now. Lille are also asking a high price for him which is too much for Milan.”"

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The 21-year-old has made quite the impression playing for Lille in the Ligue 1 and has made 21 appearances for them already this season. But it might be time for him to make a step up. That could come in the form of moving to the Premier League, which is not uncommon for French players.

His contract with Lille is set to expire in the summer of 2022 and the club could be ready to cash-in in the very near future as a result of it. Soumare is rated at around £45 million, which is a huge fee but not too steep considering his age and potential to develop into one of the top defensive midfielders in the world in a few years time. And to be very honest, it could be quite a major coup for the Red Devils if they manage to sign him.

It also goes in line with their recent transfer policy of signing young talents from all over the world instead of going after already established superstars. And it is hard to argue with that strategy considering their current position on the table.