Ibrahim Sangare has long been linked with a move to the Premier League, and this summer, the 24-year-old could make this dream a reality as Chelsea and Manchester United both reportedly want the midfielder.
According to reports, the Ivory Coast international is on the radar for the two English giants, with Aston Villa, Leicester City and Newcastle United also all linked with a move for Sangare, who enjoyed another fantastic season with PSV.
With a reported release clause of €40m (£34m), Sangare has the potential to be a bargain side for many clubs in the Premier League. Though the arrival of the Ivorian opens up a big question, depending on who he signs for, how will that side line up?
Here, we aim to look at what Sangare’s arrival will do to the five Premier League sides interested in the midfielder should one win the race for the PSV star, and what impact the 24-year-old will have in the starting XI for these teams across the division.
Note: The XIs do not take into account other transfer rumours and will only use players currently at the clubs mentioned.
Aston Villa
Of the Premier League sides interested in Sangare, Aston Villa are now arguably the side with the smallest chance of landing the midfielder in large part to their recent acquisition of Boubacar Kamara, a midfielder many sides on this list were also interested in.
Nevertheless, Steven Gerrard and Villa’s owners are an ambitious combination, and signing Sangare over the likes of Chelsea and Manchester United would be yet another major sign of intent from the Villains, with the midfielder adding more incredible defensive quality to the squad.
Chelsea
Interesting times are dawning at Chelsea under the new ownership of American Todd Boehly, and if reports are to be believed, Sangare is a top target for the west London side as the Blues prepare to refresh their midfield options.
With N’Golo Kante enduring his most frustrating season yet in the Premier League, the PSV dynamo could be a suitable replacement for the Frenchman in the Chelsea XI for years to come, potentially shifting how the Blues’ midfield operates and leaning towards a more familiar system we are accustomed to under Thomas Tuchel.
Leicester City
Leicester are one of the smartest buying clubs in the Premier League, with the Foxes’ method of selling players for big bucks to replenish the squad a winning formula that has made Brendan Rodgers’ side one of the most interesting in the league. And Sangare could be a brilliant fit.
As you can see in our XI, the departure of Youri Tielemans and the potential exit of Boubakary Soumare allows Sangare to slot right into the Leicester midfield, and if Wilfred Ndidi can return to full fitness, the Foxes could have one of the best pivots in the Premier League for next season.
Manchester United
If there was any Premier League club in need of a quality central midfielder, Manchester United would be the first one to spring to mind, and it’s no surprise that the Red Devils are reportedly one of the front runners for Sangare.
Moreover, Erik Ten Hag is reportedly eager to improve the midfield as his first act as manager of United, and Sangare would be an exceptional addition to kick things off, with the Ivorian adding some much-needed defensive quality and overall balance to a position the Manchester giants are slacking majorly in.
Newcastle United
Like Chelsea, Newcastle United are set for an exciting new era under the PIF regime, and midfield signings are firmly on the agenda for Eddie Howe’s side, with Sangare reportedly a target for the northeast powerhouses.
Following the success of Bruno Guimaraes, another midfielder with a Ligue 1 education could be needed for Newcastle, and given what the Magpies are missing most in the position is a real defensive and box-to-box type, Sangare fits the bill perfectly.
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