Pranav Nair
Manchester United to battle Liverpool for Boubakary Soumare
According to French publication Le10 Sport (h/t Daily Mail), Manchester United are set to go head to head against arch-rivals Liverpool for LOSC Lille midfielder Boubakary Soumare.
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp is keen on winning the race for the midfielder worth £50million.
A rising star at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy, the 21-year-old has made 30 appearances so far this season. His performances have seen him capture the attention of Newcastle United and Real Madrid too.
The Magpies had got in touch with the player last January. Soumare, however, turned down the opportunity, citing his desire to play for a team higher up the table.
The United midfield has enjoyed a resurgence of late. Fred has shown dramatic improvement while Bruno Fernandes has added much-needed quality in attack.
A Pogba replacement?
Questions, however, exist regarding the form of Paul Pogba, whose future at the club is far from secure. The midfielder’s contract at United is set to expire next summer. United, however, have the option of extending it by a year.
With the likes of Juventus keen on resigning the player, United will need to find a replacement if Pogba ends up leaving the club. Soumare fits the bill as a box to box midfielder, possessing both athleticism and technical ability.
Moreover, as a young player with the potential to get much better, he fits in well with United’s recruitment policy.
Valued at £50million, his contract at Lille runs until 2022. According to L’Equipe (h/t Daily Mail), it was confirmed by Lille manager Christoph Galatier that there is tension between the player and the club regarding the future.
If the relationship grows sour, Lille could be tempted to sell one of their most marketable prospects.
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Soumare is young and could prove to be a mainstay in the Reds midfield for the next decade. The 21-year-old has made 69 appearances for Lille since moving from PSG in 2017.
