Hidden Gems Manchester United Could Sign This Summer: Locko, Mbaye & More

Add as preferred source on Google

The topic of Manchester United’s dealings in the transfer window, or lack thereof, are currently the talk of the town. A deal for Ederson has yet to be confirmed, although it is largely expected to be, and with the likes of Tottenham Hotspur signing targets like Matheus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali for £85m and £92.5m apiece, some have suggested it’s time to panic about next season.

United have developed a mantra that aims to only target players who want to be at the club. This is an attitude many fans clamoured for in the past, but now that they can’t get their dopamine hit from a brand new shiny transfer toy, they’re upset it’s actually being put into action.

There are gems the club can look towards in the market to improve the squad without having to spend £100m per player. The market may require them to do it for at least one target, Aurelien Tchouameni, although considering the fees echoing around the Premier League at the moment, Real Madrid could probably quote the English side half a billion for the French midfielder, and nobody would bat an eyelid.

But even in a broken market, gems remain. Some of the gems have been targeted in the past in quite a large way. Others are just impressive market opportunities that would help plug some glaring gaps in the side.

Bradley Locko

Bradley Locko was once the subject of some advanced interest from Manchester United and even Tottenham Hotspur at a stage. United admired the player, and the player was open to a move to the club. Locko was arguably the best left-back in Ligue 1 in the 2024 campaign, but an unfortunate Achilles injury meant he was out for around 8 months, and the interest around the player became less prominent.

Locko has been getting back up to speed in Ligue 1 with Brest, who would be willing to accept a cut-price fee for the defender. The Frenchman has been working on getting up to speed in the off-season, and would be keen on joining United at full-back. Michael Carrick currently only has Luke Shaw as a senior left-back, with the club reportedly viewing Patrick Dorgu as a left-winger, not a defender.

United would face competition for Locko, with various clubs within the Premier League retaining an interest in his signature. The 24-year-old still has bundles of talent, and a physical profile that would take to life in the Premier League extremely well. He’s someone United should reconsider if they want to get good value for money in a market that seems devoid of any bargains at the moment.

Lamine Camara

Lamine Camara’s stocks may be down after his foul in the 119th minute last night against Belgium knocked his side out of the World Cup, but he remains a player of major talent. Camara is available for a reported £35m fee, and may not be the player United bring in as a marquee midfield signing, but he’s certainly good enough to be the third midfield acquisition they bring in.

Camara has grown as a player since making his debut at Monaco and, similar to Locko, possesses the type of pace and ground coverage United would be looking for in that central area to play alongside Kobbie Mainoo and Bruno Fernandes. If Tchouameni, Alex Scott and the likes of Adam Wharton are out of the question, United should look no further than Lamine Camara.

Mbekezeli Mbokazi

The most impressive defender at the World Cup. This suggestion may draw a few eye rolls, but the quality Mbekezeli Mbokazi showcased in and out of possession for a largely underwhelming South Africa side was incredible. The 20-year-old was reminiscent of a fan favourite at Old Trafford in the shape of Lisandro Martinez with his line-breaking left-footed passes. That pace again would be an asset in the Premier League, and he is unlikely to demand much of a fee or wage should he leave Chicago Fire this summer.

Mamadou Sangare

Perhaps the most likely of the names on this list, a player United have been linked to, and someone who showed clear quality with RC Lens last season. The list is heavily weighted towards Ligue 1 players, perhaps due to the league being the most physical one in Europe outside the Premier League.

Sangare is a 24-year-old box-to-box type midfielder who can cover the large space weaknesses United have at the moment. He’s valued around £35m, which would be a perfect price tag, and contributed to six goals in the league last season, which could be invaluable in the Premier League.

Sangare represents nearly as much quality as Matheus Fernandes and Alex Scott, just without the extortionate fee. As mentioned, the Premier League market is broken, but just because these players are going for unrealistic fees does not for a second mean they are better than players only valued at £40m. Sangare is a prime example of that.

Ibrahim Mbaye

Last on the list, but certainly not least on the list, is PSG forward Ibrahim Mbaye. The 18-year-old has already impressed at the World Cup, likely raising his stock even further, and is expected to leave the French club this summer.

Reinforcements may be needed for the Reds on the wings, and again, Mbaye represents a market opportunity to be taken advantage of. The Senegalese international has been linked with a move to Chelsea and Aston Villa in the past, but nothing concrete has materialised.

With Yan Diomande expected to join PSG for over £100m this summer, it’s expected that Mbaye will be used to recoup some money for the club. With INEOS having a desire to sign younger, more raw players, Mbaye would be the perfect player to bring into the club.