There has not been much Manchester United transfer news over the past fortnight, amid the build-up to the new season and the wait for Raphael Varane’s deal to be announced.
The season kicked off at the weekend and Varane’s deal was confirmed. Now United are being linked to a new player.
The Mail report United are tracking Metz midfielder Pape Matar Sarr.
United are said to be monitoring Sarr along with Chelsea and Manchester City – and all three are considering moves to sign the midfielder and then loan him back to Metz for the season.
So who is Sarr and what do we need to know about the potential signing?
1) Sarr, 18, is a box to box midfielder who made his first team debut for Ligue 1 Metz in November 2020.
2) The youngster ended the 20/21 season with 25 appearances and four goals.
3) Sarr is already a senior Senegal international with two caps. He made his debut in March.
4) He started for Metz against Lille at the weekend in the season opener, and created two chances in the 3-3 draw, while making three interceptions.
5) Sarr signed a five year contract with Metz last year and The Mail report the French club value him at around £27 million.
What they say…
Senegal boss Aliou Cisse told Wiw Sport: “Pape Matar Sarr is a boy with a great future. He is steeped in talent. For me, he’s like Sadio Mane. It’s true he has less experience than Mane and has proven less than him – but he is capable of playing in several systems.”
Metz general manager Olivier Perrin told Senego: “I immediately said to myself that he was a top player, with a very high-level (with regards to) reading and analysing the game. He is Miralem Pjanic.”
He added: “He can play in a system with two numbers 10, he can be middle and box-to-box, he can be 10, 6, it depends on the coaches.”
Head coach Frédéric Antonetti told Archyde: “Pape Matar Sarr is elegance in the midfield, his talent, he is making others play.”
Alternative to Eduardo Camavinga
United have been linked with varying midfielders all summer, one of who is Rennes’ Eduardo Camavinga. The Mail report he prefers a move to Spain, while PSG are also keen. So it makes sense for United to explore alternatives.
Sarr fits the same profile. He is racking up senior appearances at a young age and making an impact already. He is a talented prospect capable of playing various midfield roles, and has lined up as a defensive midfielder in some of his games for Metz.
Speaking to Sarr’s all round ability, FBRef note that Sarr ranked in Metz’s top five players last season for number of tackles and interceptions combined, plus ‘shot creating actions’.
The possibility of United signing Sarr and loaning him back to Metz would be a sensible move.
If Ole Gunnar Solskjaer does not see a first-team ready player he wants to sign this summer for the midfield, taking a punt on Sarr like he did with Amad a year ago could be a move United are tempted by.
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