Manchester United and Liverpool among clubs pushing to sign Senegalese defender: Reports
Manchester United and Liverpool are reportedly keeping tabs on Barcelona centre-back Mikayil Faye ahead of the upcoming 2024-25 season.
Faye, who arrived from Croatian outfit NK Kustosija for close to £2 million last July, has grown by leaps and bounds this season. He has cemented himself as a crucial star for Barcelona Atletic, scoring four goals and keeping six shutouts in 27 outings across all competitions.
A left-footed ball-playing centre-back, Faye is yet to make his debut for the La Liga giants. However, the 19-year-old Senegalese has been on the substitute bench for Xavi Hernandez's side three times so far.
Now, according to Mundo Deportivo, Manchester United and Liverpool have joined the race to add Faye to their squads this summer. Bayern Munich are also pushing to lure the defender away from the Catalans.
Meanwhile, Ligue 1 outfits like LOSC Lille, AS Monaco, and OGC Nice are keen to sign the one-cap Senegal international in the future. RC Lens, who reportedly had a bid of around £8 million rejected earlier this January, are also set to reignite their interest in the star.
In light of the recent interest in their client, Faye's agents reportedly met Barcelona sporting director Deco earlier this week. They were informed that the defender is a part of the club's plans for the future and is expected to feature for the senior team from next campaign.
Should the Manchester United and Liverpool target opt to remain at Barcelona, he would emerge as a rotational option for them. He would provide competition to Pau Cubarsi and attempt to push Inigo Martinez, who will turn 33 this May, further down the pecking order.
Manchester United target Jean-Clair Todibo rejected interest from Liverpool, says agent
Speaking recently on the Radio Kiss Kiss Napoli, Jean-Clair Todibo's agent Bruno Satin revealed that the Manchester United-linked defender rejected Liverpool back in 2019. He said (h/t Yardbarker):
"[Former Napoli sporting director Cristiano] Giuntoli asked me, but there was Liverpool, Juventus and Bayer Leverkusen, but then the boy wanted Barcelona and we chose to accommodate him."
Soon after breaking into Toulouse's first-team, Todibo joined Barcelona for close to £1 million in January 2019. The 24-year-old joined OGC Nice on a short loan move in January 2021 and turned the deal permanent for close to £8 million after shining for the French side.
Todibo, who has allegedly been linked with Manchester United since the turn of the year, has made 130 overall appearances for Nice so far. He has helped them keep 43 clean sheets, scoring two goals as well.