Manchester United are eyeing up a move for RB Leipzig defender Ibrahima Konaté this summer and have already been in contact with the player’s agents about a move.
That’s according to Le 10 Sport, who say United are on the hunt for ‘new blood’ as they seek to add ‘reinforcement’ to their defence this summer.
The website explains that while United are focused on spending big to improve their forward options, with big-money moves for Jadon Sancho and Victor Osimhen, among others, they’re also looking at the defence.
Despite having spent a world-record fee on Harry Maguire last summer, and pairing him with Victor Lindelöf to relative success, they want to add a new centre back this summer.
Their hunt for that player has led them to Germany, with sources telling Le 10 that Manchester United are ‘very interested’ in Leipzig’s Konaté.
In fact, they have already been in contact with his ‘entourage’ to get the ‘necessary information’ about his situation and personal desires.
However, it may be difficult for United to lure him away from the Bundesliga side.
He has a contract with the club until 2023, meaning it will be difficult to tempt them into a sale unless they put a big offer on the table.
And whether that will be plausible is up for debate, with Chief Executive Ed Woodward having already stated publicly that the big money moves of the past may become obsolete as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak.
Even if that were the case, unless there is a significant sale, namely Paul Pogba, it is difficult to see Manchester United dropping a huge amount to sign Konaté and then doing similar to secure the likes of Sancho.
