Man Utd to battle European giants for PERFECT Casemiro replacement

Tom Weber

Updated: 17 Apr 2024 15:54 BST
4 min read

Youssouf Fofana is at the top of AC Milan's summer shortlist, according to Italian media.

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The Monaco midfielder has established himself as one of the best in his position in Ligue 1 in recent seasons and this has unsurprisingly made him a sought-after commodity. After snubbing a move to the Premier League last summer because the offers on the table were, by his own admission, not good enough, Fofana is expected to be on the move this summer.

The France international has been associated with the likes of Newcastle and Man Utd. At the latter, he would likely come in to replace Casemiro, who is facing an uncertain future at Old Trafford and could leave this summer.

Yet, despite often being erroneously described as a destroyer, Fofana is actually a very technically gifted deep-lying playmaker, which means that he would not be a like-for-like replacement for the Brazilian.

is performances for Monaco, however, make it clear that the 25-year-old would nevertheless be a shrewd acquisition especially since he is expected to be fairly affordable this summer as his contract expires next year.

Compared

Youssouf Fofana

DM (RL), M (C)

AS Monaco

Youssouf Fofana

DM (RL), M (C)

AS Monaco

VS

Casemiro

DM (CRL)

Manchester United

Casemiro

DM (CRL)

Manchester United

Youssouf Fofana

Casemiro

Milan join the race

If Man Utd thought they would have a fee run at Fofana, however, they were sorely mistaken. According to Calciomercato, AC Milan are the latest side to be credited with an interest in the Frenchman.

It is claimed that Fofana heads the Rossoneri's shortlist of midfield targets, with CEO Giorgio Furlani recently revealing that Milan intend to sign a defensive midfielder this summer. Milan are expected to make an early move for Fofana in the upcoming transfer window.

Whether they will actually land him is a different question, of course, and the Italians have a contingency plan should they miss out on Fofana. Man Utd loanee Sofyan Amrabat and Spurs outcast Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg are among the alternatives for the Rossoneri this summer.