Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that Manchester United explored the possibility of signing Monaco’s Youssouf Fofana in the summer, ultimately opting for Sofyan Amrabat.
Reports suggest that United could still be interested in the 24-year-old as a potential replacement for Casemiro.
Casemiro’s struggles to replicate his debut season form have prompted United to consider alternatives, especially with the Brazilian sidelined due to injury until next year.
Amidst transfer rumors circulating ahead of the January window, Fofana emerges as a prominent name in discussions.
During the summer, Fofana was linked with a move to the Premier League, with Nottingham Forest and Liverpool reportedly monitoring his situation.
Although he remained with Monaco, transfer expert Romano reveals that United evaluated him as a backup option before securing Amrabat on loan from Fiorentina.
Romano states, “Youssouf Fofana is a name attracting interest at the moment, and I can reveal that Man Utd considered him as a backup option for Sofyan Amrabat (who was their top target) in the summer.”
Fofana, under contract with Monaco until 2025, is seen as a key player for the Ligue 1 club, making any potential move more likely for the summer than January.
Despite early reports, Romano mentions that PSG is not actively pursuing Fofana.
Former Manchester United defender Mikael Silvestre approves of Fofana, describing him as a player who “ticks a lot of boxes to play as a defensive midfielder for a Premier League team.”
Silvestre notes that Fofana’s physical presence could make him a suitable addition to the United squad, even though the club opted for Amrabat in reaction to the early-season challenges.