Erik ten Hag Targets PSV’s Ibrahim Sangaré To Strengthen Manchester United Midfield Options

With Manchester United requiring reinforcements in midfield ahead of the 22/23 Premier League season, a new target for the club has emerged in the form of PSV’s Ivorian left-footed midfielder Ibrahim Sangaré.

Sky Sports have reported of a battle between Manchester United and Chelsea amid serious interest from both clubs with similar ambitions for the new season. The 24 year old is said to have his heart set on a move to the Premier League, with earlier reports of interest from Newcastle and Liverpool amounting to little in the way of action.

Ten Hag is said to be a fan of the midfielder, with his Ajax team being the only team to best a PSV side containing Sangaré in the final table for the 21/22 Eredivisie.

Sangaré would be a more than welcome addition at Manchester United, having played primarily as a defensive midfielder in a 4-3-3 formation. Midfield is a key area that requires a substantial amount of investment from the club, with a defensive midfielder likely to be at the forefront of Erik ten Hag’s summer wishlist.

After the departure of Nemanja Matic on a free transfer, Manchester United have a gaping hole in their midfield which Sangaré would help fill and allow him to compete with the likes of Scott McTominay and Fred in the starting XI.

With 25 caps and 5 goals at international level for Ivory Coast, Sangaré has the combination of proven quality and youth that will be essential for United’s rebuild under Ten Hag. Having played 49 times in all competitions for PSV last year, as well as playing in the French Ligue 1 for Toulouse between 2016-2020, the midfielder has been proven to be an asset of value in multiple European leagues.

This represents a level of knowledge that could provide United with an extra boost in European competitions should he join the club.

With three years left on his current deal with Eredivisie giants, PSV, a rumoured buy out clause of £29.9m would present the most likely opportunity to secure the services of the Ivorian. The Express says the player is confident of a Premier League move, with a move to Southampton in 2020 only falling through at the last hurdle.

While Manchester United are hamstrung in their pursuit of targets this window due to the absence of Champions League football next season, this won’t be as damaging when attempting to secure Sangaré ahead of Chelsea. PSV only competed in the group stages of the Europa League in the 21/22 season before being knocked out by Leicester in the quarter finals of the Europa Conference League.

This means the player will be eager to prove himself in the Europa League, instead of expecting immediate Champions League football in his first season at the club. Ten Hag’s project for the club as a whole will therefore provide an appealing prospect for Sangaré who is still only 24 years old.