Pranav Nair
Transfer News: Manchester City leading Manchester United in the race for Pape Matar Sarr
According to reliable journalist Jonathan Shrager on Twitter, Manchester City look set to beat Manchester United to the signing of talented young Ligue 1 starlet Pape Matar Sarr.
The 18-year-old Metz starlet is one of the many promising youngsters making a name for themselves in the French top flight. He burst onto the scene for his club last season and was promoted to the first team after a solitary game for the reserves.
He has since made 27 appearances for the French side, scoring four goals in the process. This has caught the attention of both City and United while Chelsea are also keen.
According to Shrager, the player appears to be more likely to join Pep Guardiola at the Etihad. Primarily a defensive midfielder, Sarr can do a good job in central midfield and also fulfil attacking responsibilities if needed.
He could be a potentially excellent long term addition to a Blues side that needs revamping. Fernandinho is not getting any younger while Kevin de Bruyne and Ilkay Gundagon are in their 30s. Bernardo Silva’s future at the club remains unclear while Rodri is far from an unqualified success.
Alongside Jack Grealish, Sarr could lay the foundations for Guardiola to build his next great City side.
The all-action starlet is a graduate of Senegal’s famous Generation Foot academy. The likes of Sadio Mane and Ismaila Sarr are among those who came through the same institution and have made a name for themselves in Europe.
United for their part are keen on a midfielder and have been linked to Declan Rice, Leon Goretzka and Eduardo Camavinga. While they have been linked to Sarr, attention now appears to have turned their attention to Aurelien Tchouameni.
The Frenchman has been making waves at Monaco and is further along in his development compared to Sarr. Whether he will eventually make the move to Old Trafford remains to be seen.
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Despite his tender age, Sarr has already made his full debut for the Senegalese national team. He has won two caps for his country and looks set for a bright future. While that could see him move to Manchester, it might not turn out to be for the team in red.
