Manchester United are closing in on a deal to snap up Malian international El Bilal Toure, according to reports in the French media.
The 23-year-old is currently playing for Stuttgart and Foot Mercato report that the Red Devils are “set to sign” the player. However, he is not expected to make the switch to Old Trafford this month.
Toure is currently on loan from Atalanta. Stuttgart do have a clause in their agreement to bring in the forward on a permanent basis for €18m (£15m).
The Bundesliga side could trigger their option, with Foot Mercato claiming that United will then pay €25m (£21m) to recruit the player before loaning him back for the rest of the season in what they describe as a”crazy three-way operation.”
What do fans need to know about Toure?
The striker arrived in Europe when Stade de Reims recruited him in January 2020. He made 68 appearances for the French club, scoring 9 goals.
Toure’s performances attracted the interest of Almeria who paid €8m to secure his services before the close of the 2022 summer transfer window.
The Malian spent just a year in Spain prior to joining Atalanta for €29m in July 2023. A hamstring injury curtailed his time with the Serie A side and he was loaned out to Stuttgart at the start of this campaign.
United are likely to sign another forward before the transfer deadline
With Marcus Rashford set to join Aston Villa on loan, the Red Devils are expected to bring in a replacement ahead of Monday night.
Ruben Amorim’s side are said to be talking with the representatives of Bayern Munich winger Mathys Tel, but Arsenal are also involved. If an agreement can’t be reached to snap him up, reports suggest that the club may turn their attention to Villa’s Leon Bailey.
Find out who is in Manchester United’s first-team squad for the 2024/2025 season here