 "Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim reportedly is hopeful of signing midfielder Lucien Agoume from Sevilla before the end of the summer transfer on 1 September. Reuters")
Manchester United are not giving up on their quest to bolster their midfield even if their hopes of signing Carlos Baleba from Brighton and Hove Albion are fading away with the transfer deadline fast approaching. With a little over 10 days left in the summer transfer window, the ‘Red Devils’ have now turned their attention towards Sevilla midfielder Lucien Agoume.
Sevilla-based outlet Orgullo Biri reported that United currently are well ahead in the race to sign the Frenchman, who has a release clause of £34.5 million ($46.54 million) but is willing to bring his price down to £26 million ($35.07 million).
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Arsenal had also expressed interest in signing the 23-year-old Cameroonian-born midfielder as a possible replacement for Thomas Partey. The Gunners, however, chose to sign Christian Norgaard and Martin Zubimendi from Brentford and Real Sociedad respectively.
After making his professional debut with Sochaux at the age of 16, Agoume would move to Serie A giants Inter Milan the following season, spending a full season with them before being loaned to various clubs including LaLiga’s Sevilla – which made the deal permanent last year.
United still eyeing Sporting CP’s Hjulmand
United haven’t taken their eyes off Sporting CP’s Morten Hjulmand either, and are reportedly willing to shore up their bid to £50 million ($67.45 million) for the Dane who has been described by Amorim as a ‘complete’ midfielder.
Hjulmand had joined the club in 2023 and played more than a season under Amorim until the latter left Sporting for United.
The 13-time Premier League champions were forced to abandon hope of signing Baleba after the Seagulls demanded £100 million for the Cameroonian. United have already spent more than £200 million in signing the trio of Benjamin Sesko, Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha to overhaul their attack.
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United had also hoped for out-of-favour winger Jadon Sancho’s proposed loan move to Italy with AS Roma to be completed before the transfer deadline, with Old Trafford set to earn £20 million ($26.98 million) if the deal were made permanent.
Sancho, however, dealt a blow to United with his agent reportedly informing Roma of the England international’s rejection.