Who is Ibrahim Sangare? The PSV star wanted by Liverpool, PSG and Bayern

Stuart Telford

• Updated: 14 Aug 2023 16:07 BST
• 5 min read

Manchester United and Chelsea have both previously been linked with a move for Ibrahim Sangare, but the Ivorian has now attracted interest from Liverpool, Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain.

But what is the fuss about over PSV Eindhoven's star defensive midfielder?

Sangare is approaching his fourth season with PSV, having joined the Dutch Eredivisie side from Toulouse in 2020, despite links with 'bigger' clubs.

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A defensive midfielder, Sangare has repeatedly been linked with a move away from the Netherlands, but he has remained put, even though interest from across the continent has continually bubbled away beneath the surface.

The 25-year-old reportedly had his heart set on a move to the Premier League last summer, and a move to Anfield could now be on the cards. Although he has two years to run on his current deal, clubs across Europe will be confident of being able to match his release clause, which stands at a reported €37 million.

Therefore, a move could be just around the corner for Sangare, but what kind of player is he?

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What position does Sangare play in?

Sangare is a modern defensive midfielder with the physicality to break up opposition attacks with minimum fuss.

He has generally been employed at the base of midfield in Roger Schmidt's 4-2-3-1 at PSV, but he is also happy to line up on either side of a midfield three when required.

How good is Sangare?

Very good is the simple answer. Although he was relegated with Toulouse in the truncated 2019/20 Ligue 1 season, Sangare was a stand-out performer, earning a €9m move to PSV that September.

He has gone from strength to strength since, with his 2021-22 season particularly noteworthy. That year, only Milan van Ewijk, a right-back for mid-table Heerenveen, won more challenges in the Dutch top-flight (68 vs 64), and Sangare's 72 interceptions were a league-high among midfielders.

Sangare's strengths mainly lie in the defensive phase of play, with the Ivorian a huge physical presence and great in the air. Furthermore, he is a brilliant ball-winner and doesn't shy away from getting on the ball either.

He isn't particularly fast and can sometimes go missing in games, but Sangare is a good defensive midfielder who specialises in the defensive aspect of that role.

What clubs are interested in Sangare?

Man Utd, Chelsea and Newcastle were all linked with a move for Sangare by Dutch media last season, but have turned to other targets in 2023.

However, ESPN NL have reported that Sangare is being watched by Liverpool, Bayern and PSG as all three teams look to improve their midfield roster.

When does Sangare's contract expire?

Sangare's contract with PSV Eindhoven is due to expire on 30 June 2025.

How old is Sangare?

Born in Koumassi, a suburb of Ivorian capital Abidjan, on 2 December 1997, Sangare is 25 years old.

What is Sangare’s height?

Sangare is 1.91 metres, or 6ft 3in.

What is Sangare’s weight?

Sangare weighs 77 kilograms, or 12st 1lb.

What boots does Sangare wear?

Sangare wears Puma Ultra 1.3 soccer cleats.

What is Sangare's Instagram?

Ibrahim Sangare's Instagram account has 102k followers as of August 2023.