Manchester United are said to have not made a bid for PSV midfielder Ibrahim Sangare, despite previous reports to the contrary.
Erik ten Hag’s first pre-season as United boss is now well underway, with dominant wins over Liverpool and Melbourne Victory. Off the pitch things are moving as well following the arrivals of Tyrell Malacia from Feyenoord and free agent Christian Eriksen.
A move for Lisandro Martinez is also close and the Argentine is now in Manchester completing a medical ahead of his £42million move from Ajax. That doesn’t promise to be the end of the overhaul however, with another central midfielder high on the agenda.
Barcelona ’s Frenkie de Jong is Ten Hag’s top priority, but reports have suggested that the Dutch international has reservations about moving to Old Trafford. Sangare is another name to be linked with the Red Devils and suggestions had claimed talks were quickly progressing.
However, Voetbal International claim that while his name is ‘circulating’ throughout Carrington, an offer has yet to be sent. Eindhovens Dagblad (via Sport Witness) go significantly further and have labelled the claims as ‘total nonsense’.
Sangare is said to be open to leaving PSV, but is happy to bide his time with numerous clubs, including Chelsea and Newcastle United credited with an interest. Should the right offer not materialise the 24-year-old would be willing to stay at PSV for one more season.
Sangare is currently managed by United legend Ruud van Nistelrooy, who has stated there is a chance the Ivorian could leave. “I would prefer to know as soon as possible whether they [Sangare and Cody Gakpo] are staying. The sooner the better, but we are dealing with the transfer deadline,” he said last month.
“I know from Sangare that he really wants to stay, PSV is absolutely no punishment for him. But of course we also know how the market works. If clubs come with the right financial resources, it could be difficult to keep these players.”
Any midfield arrival will contend with Scott McTominay for a starting berth and the Scotland international has heaped praise on Ten Hag and the immediate impact he has made since being named boss.
“Whenever you’ve got a new manager, there’s a lot of new ideas, a lot of things we have to take on board in terms of what the manager wants from us, a slightly different formation as well and different ideas, which is important,” he explained.
“We need to dial into them, and I think tonight is a good test in terms of the team that we’re playing against.
“They played a little bit deeper, it’s harder to break down, [so we have to come up with] different ideas and ways that we can get into their box and create scoring opportunities.
“Everyone’s so, so happy with the new coach in terms of the detail and attention to the work that we’re doing, and everyone’s so fit now. And we can get fitter, I can get fitter, the whole team can, which is obviously a benefit for the future as well.”
