Manchester United in contact with flop winger eyed up as Jadon Sancho alternative

Thomas Lemar TEAMtalk

Manchester United have been talking to the representatives of two midfielders over summer transfers, according to reports in Europe.

United officials have met with Thomas Lemar’s agent over a proposed move from Spain, according to AS. 

The 24-year-old winger, who was close to moves to Arsenal and Liverpool in 2017, is on United’s radar having flopped badly at Atletico Madrid.

Lemar joined Atleti from Monaco in 2018 for €70million, but has only scored three times in 67 appearances and he has not scored in 24 appearances this term.

Arsenal remain interested in the player, whose move on deadline day in 2017 fell through at the final hurdle, but Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has registered his interest, probably as a back-up option to Jadon Sancho.

Atleti are believed to be ready to let Lemar go this summer with coach Diego Simeone saying in January: “Let’s hope he has a good moment when he comes back from injury.

“Now, if Lemar can stay or not… we know that agents work in an exemplary way. Clubs work in terms of the needs of the clubs.

“But, as a footballer, every time he has been available, he’s played a lot more than he hasn’t played.

“His characteristics have always excited me. But he hasn’t been able to live up to expectations.

 

 

 

Meanwhile, United have also held talks over a possible summer move for Juventus midfielder Adrien Rabiot, according to Gazzetto dello Sport.

United officials have met with the player’s mother, Veronique, though the Manchester Evening News say it is unclear who approached who to arrange the meeting.

The France midfielder’s time at Juventus has not gone according to plan and a move away from Turin this summer looks likely having started only 11 Serie A games under manager Maurizio Sarri.

United were said to be interested in signing Rabiot last summer, but whether he remains on Solskjaer’s target list is unclear.