Manchester United are considering a move to sign Lens midfielder Mamadou Sangare as an alternative to Elliot Anderson.
Nottingham Forest have rejected a bid worth an initial £106m from Manchester City for Anderson, with the club demanding a British record fee, in excess of £125m, for the England international.
United had made Anderson a top target for their midfield rebuild, but that rejected bid from their cross-town rivals has persuaded the Red Devils to move on to alternatives. United are not willing to be dragged into a bidding war for Anderson, nor pay a British record sum.
According to FootMercato journalist Sebastien Denis, Michael Carrick’s side have been impressed with Sangare and view him a a potential option.
The 23-year-old shone as Lens secured Champions League qualification in Ligue 1 last season, where he scored three goals and provided four assists, while ranking second in the division for tackles won.
The Mali international could be available for around £35m to £40m, a fraction of Anderson’s price tag. United have already agreed a £35m deal to sign Ederson from Atalanta, and remain interested in a number of Premier League based midfielders.
Newcastle’s Sandro Tonali and West Ham’s Mateus Fernandes are among those to have been scouted extensively.
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