Man Utd monitoring 19-goal right winger who sunk Leicester in Europe
Manchester United are reportedly monitoring Slavia Prague forward Abdallah Sima with a view to a potential summer swoop.
The 21-year-old scored four goals during Slavia’s Europa League run – including the goal that clinched their last-32 win over Leicester – and has notched an impressive 19 goals in 35 appearances this season. He is currently contracted to the Czech giants until 2024.
The Manchester Evening News reports that if Slavia decide to cash in on Sima the player would be eligible for a governing body endorsement. Players must obtain a GBE from the Football Association before they can play for a new club in England.
The attacker, who won his first Senegal cap last month, has started 29 time for Slavia this term. Despite his part in the win over Leicester, Sima was unused sub in the 4-0 hammering by Arsenal in the Europa quarter-finals a fortnight ago.
He has mainly been used as a right-sided attacker this season. But it’s claimed that the long-term plan is for him to convert to a central striker.
United are looking to strengthen both those positions this summer, despite signing Amad Diallo and Facundo Pellistri last summer.
The interest in Sima continues the Red Devils’ current strategy of landing younger talent from across the globe.
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Arsenal will demand £25m from Newcastle for Joe Willock, Liverpool are considering a cut-price move for Torino striker Andrea Belotti and Atletico Madrid are ready to take advantage of Chelsea’s interest in Niklas Sule by moving for Cesar Azpilicueta.
Pellistri, who is currently on loan at LaLiga side Alaves, only turned 19 in December while Diallo is just 18. The latter notched his first goal for the club, a memorable header, against AC Milan last month.
The MEN adds that United were also after 19-year-old Ecuador midfielder Moises Caicedo in January. However, they withdrew from a deal due to the interference of intermediaries.
The report doesn’t mention what sort of a fee United would have to pay for Sima, although he’s unlikely to come cheap.
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Bailly signs up again
Meanwhile, Eric Bailly says he is ready for a “new challenge” at Old Trafford after signing a new contract at Manchester United.
The centre-back has agreed new terms that will run until June 2024, with the option of a further year. It looked likely that the Ivory Coast international would leave the club this summer. Bailly has struggled with injuries and barely featured this season and a move away looked likely.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer confirmed talks had begun over a new deal, but the indications were that Bailly would leave.
The Sun reported recently that Bailly “plans to snub” the new offer after being left out of the Europa League win over AC Milan.
As per the source, Bailly was “upset and furious” at being overlooked again by Solskjaer having played in the first leg at Old Trafford. Instead Solskjaer went with Victor Lindelof alongside Harry Maguire as United shut-out the Rossoneri to win 1-0.
Bailly, whose entourage were understood to be feeding stories of his discontent, has not played since after contracting Covid-19.
But in a surprising turnaround the 27-year-old has pledged his future to the club.
“I’m very happy,” he told United’s media. “This decision is something I didn’t have to think about, I love this club and I love playing for Manchester United. I’m happy and so are my family, everything is good.
“Now the moment with my injury has passed and I’m fit and feel good, and that’s it. A new contract is like a new challenge and I’m ready for this.”
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