Hicham Boudaoui could be a new target for Manchester Unitedplaceholder image
Hicham Boudaoui could be a new target for Manchester United | AFP via Getty Images
Man Utd will explore their options in central midfield as they look to strengthen their squad.
Manchester United reportedly sent scouts to watch OGC Nice midfielder Hicham Boudaoui last week. United are in the market for a central midfielder this summer, though they are set to have a limited budget when it comes to strengthening that position.
United have completed a £62.5 million deal to bring Matheus Cunha to the club from Wolves and are still in talks to sign Brentford ace Bryan Mbeumo as well. Ruben Amorim has also requested the addition of a proven goalscorer this summer, with wing-back, central midfield and goalkeeper the other areas they would like to improve.
It has been suggested United's pursuit of a midfielder will hinge on player sales and they could even consider loan deals or bargain buys as they look to address the issue. It makes a move for Boudaoui even more appealing given he is only valued at roughly €10 million this summer.
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United scouted Hicham Boudaoui last week
Manchester United reportedly sent scouts to watch Hicham Boudaoui when he featured for Algeria in the recent international break. The Scouts in Attendance social media page claims a United scout kept tabs on the 25-year-old as his nation lost 4-3 to Sweden in a friendly fixture.
Boudaoui was substituted after an hour with his side 4-0 behind in Stockholm, before they staged a late comeback that almost saw them earn a draw. The Algerian international scored two goals and notched four assists in 36 appearances for Nice over the past season as they finished fourth in Ligue 1.
The links with a move to United come just a month after Footboom claimed a summer exit was 'increasingly likely' for a midfielder 'who has not quite met the expectations of the club's management.' The report also cited his transfer value at roughly €10 million, though a recent report from The Sun claims it could cost as much as £20 million to bring him to Old Trafford.
However, there is a catch. In order to comply with Uefa's multi-club ownership rules, United agreed they would not sign any players from the fellow Ineos-owned club until September 2025. It technically means they would not be able to sign Boudaoui until deadline day of the summer window on 1 September, or unless those rules are now relaxed due to their failure to qualify for European competition next season.
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