Arsenal are reportedly set to join Manchester United in the chase for Lille midfielder Boubakary Soumare after sealing the deal for Gabriel Magalhaes.
The Sun are reporting that Arsenal are confident of confirming the capture of Gabriel Magalhaes from Lille and are now set to turn their attention to his current teammate Boubakary Soumare. The midfielder is also being linked with Manchester United, but the Gunners are ready to compete with their Premier League rivals.
The Gunners seem to have won the race for Gabriel, beating the likes of Manchester United and more to the defender. But, Arsenal are not satisfied and are now set to pursue Boubakary Soumare in a bid to beef up the midfield.
Boubakary Soumare is a holding midfielder who has made his own place in Lille’s first-team setup since moving from PSG on a free transfer in 2017. The 21-year-old has been a steady rock for Lille and his presence in midfield is a big reason for the club’s Champions League qualification by finishing fourth in the 2019/20 Ligue 1 campaign.
Here’s why Arsenal wants to sign Boubakary Soumaré? pic.twitter.com/QHkNlQV0Kn
— Ulrik (@Ulroud) August 24, 2020
Arsenal are in need of a holding midfielder, with the club in talks to offload Matteo Guendouzi along with the prospect of Lucas Torreira leaving the club in the summer. The Gunners are looking for a long-term solution to the holding midfield issue and bringing in Soumare will strengthen the defence a bit as well.
Manchester United are in a similar predicament. Nemanja Matic’s play showed a bit of resurgence in the second half of the 2019/20 Premier League season. But, the fact of the matter is that the club need a long-term replacement for the Serb this summer, especially with Scott McTominay looking more promising in a box-to-box role.
Reports say that Soumare will cost in the region of £43 million, a fee that Arsenal or Manchester United might have to pay in full, with Lille not in a hurry to sell anyway. But, the fee can be justified with the potential of having a player that can relieve the club from searching for another midfielder in that position for almost a decade.
The 21-year-old is reportedly primed for a move this summer, with Arsenal and Manchester United having other competitors as well.
