Manchester United are in desperate need of a defensive midfielder and are eyeing Lucien Agoumé
The start of the new Premier League season was another disappointment for Manchester United. The 1-0 loss to Arsenal made it clear that the team still have many shortcomings. United had a good rhythm early on, but Altay Bayindir’s mistake from a simple corner allowed Riccardo Calafiori to score.
Benjamin Sesko and Bryan Mbeumo then created chances to equalise, but the presence of David Raya and United’s poor finishing left the team empty-handed. The defeat came at a time when the club are already out of European competition this season, having finished last season in 15th place and losing the Europa League final to Tottenham in 2024/25. Meanwhile, Rúben Amorim is now looking for a midfielder who can ease the burden on Casemiro’s ageing legs. Carlos Baleba and Adam Wharton were looked at, but both proved to be out of United’s range.
United eye Lucien Agoumé
Spanish media Fichajes reports suggest Manchester United have made Sevilla midfielder Lucien Agoumé a priority. The 23-year-old Frenchman is a fast-rising name in La Liga and is believed to be worth between €25 and €35 million. Sevilla insiders suggest the club are considering a sale to balance their accounts.
Manchester United are in desperate need of a defensive midfielder and are eyeing Lucien Agoumé.
Lucien Agoumé (Via X)
The board is aware that the player has a release clause of £35 million, and interest from Premier League clubs have added to the pressure. Amorim needs double pivot depth in his 3-4-2-1 system, and Agoumé is believed to fit the role. Casemiro, Kobbie Mainoo, Manuel Ugarte and Bruno Fernandes are all important names, but an extra option is needed to ease the pressure of playing consistently.
Agoumé’s biggest strengths are his physical presence and his ability to move the ball under pressure. His playing style is seen as suited to the Premier League. Sources close to the player believe that the Frenchman is open to a move to England and that his stay at Sevilla will not be long. It has also been said within the club that a deal could be finalised in the coming weeks, with several English teams active, but United appear to be ahead in the race.
Is Agoumé the right choice?
From Manchester United’s perspective, Lucien Agoumé seems to be a perfect fit for Amorim’s tactics. His physicality and ball control make him an alternative to Casemiro, as well as complementing Maino and Ugarte. The defensive midfielder from Sevilla could also give Fernandes more attacking freedom, improving the team’s balance. On the other hand, the deal is a dilemma for Sevilla. €25-35 million could stabilise the club financially, but losing an emerging midfielder at such a young age would hurt their competitiveness in the long run.
As for United, this move could be both a smart one and a risky one. Agoumé will have to prove himself in the pressure and speed of the Premier League, but as fans, we think United need a bold move like this right now. If the club can pull off this deal, it could change the direction of the midfield for years to come. However, then gain, we have to offload players, and we are still pessimistic about the chances of the deal happening.