Man United transfer news: Manchester United could move for Nottingham Forest defensive midfielder Ibrahim Sangaré if they fail to secure his club teammate Elliot Anderson this summer, according to a report from CaughtOffside. United scouts have reportedly been impressed by Sangaré’s physical strength and tactical awareness, with the Ivory Coast international now firmly on the shortlist as United look to overhaul their midfield this summer.
Manchester United Eye Ibrahim Sangaré As Plan B To Elliot Anderson Pursuit
Anderson remains United’s first-choice midfield target heading into the summer window, but Manchester City have made more progress in that pursuit, with Anderson’s move to the Etihad seemingly edging closer. United are now looking harder at their backup options, and per TEAMtalk, INEOS are planning to spend £200 million on new players this summer, with midfield additions their most pressing priority.
Forest signed Sangaré in 2023 for around €35 million and are expected to open negotiations at a higher figure, with talks anticipated in the €45–50 million range. The 28-year-old, who represents the Ivory Coast on the international stage, has become a commanding presence in front of Forest’s defence this season, earning descriptions as a barrier from those who have watched him closely. Crucially, his contract at the City Ground runs until June 2028, handing Forest significant leverage in any transfer dialogue.
Sangaré has recorded 2 goals and 2 assists across the 2025/26 Premier League campaign, averaging a 6.9 FotMob rating across his appearances. Beyond those numbers, Bayern Munich and Liverpool have tracked him in the past, and Aston Villa and West Ham are also monitoring his situation, meaning Man United transfer news surrounding Sangaré is far from straightforward, with several clubs already in the running.
Forest sit in a relegation battle, and if they drop into the Championship, relegation clauses would likely activate, presenting top clubs with a significantly reduced asking price and a player desperate to remain in the Premier League.
Does Man United Transfer News On Sangaré Actually Solve Their Midfield Crisis Or Just Paper Over It?
The honest answer, looked at honestly given where United actually are right now, is that Sangaré fills one hole but does little to fix the wider mess in United’s engine room. Manuel Ugarte has failed to convince over 18 months at Old Trafford, and Casemiro’s confirmed departure leaves United without a credible defensive anchor.
Sangaré offers exactly that profile: a 191cm destroyer with Premier League experience and European pedigree from his PSV days. His 2025/26 season has been solid without being spectacular, yet his role requires the kind of unglamorous, grinding work that never shows up cleanly in a data sheet.
The real concern for Man United transfer news followers this summer is whether spending €50M on a 28-year-old is genuine ambition or just United plugging gaps again. Personally, Forest’s relegation battle makes this deal significantly more likely and considerably cheaper by July.
Rohit Sarkar
Rohit Sarkar is a passionate writer with a deep love for multiple sports, but his favourites are football and cricket. Since 2017, he has been covering football and cricket news with a keen eye for detail and compelling storytelling. He is a fan of the beautiful game and a specialist…