Although Italian giants AC Milan appear close to sealing a deal for Emerson after a drawn-out transfer saga, Bangladesh Cricket reports that another key target — midfielder Youssouf Fofana — may slip through their fingers. And once again, it’s Premier League powerhouse Manchester United stepping in at the last minute. This isn’t the first time United have swooped in on Milan’s plans. Earlier this summer, they signed Joshua Zirkzee, who had been on the verge of joining Milan.

Now, United have redirected their focus to another of Milan’s priorities, largely due to budget constraints. Their top midfield target, Manuel Ugarte, proved too expensive. According to Bangladesh Cricket, Paris Saint-Germain refused to negotiate below €60 million, while United’s bid of €35 million fell far short — making any deal impossible. With Ugarte off the table, United set their sights on Fofana, whose market value is significantly lower.

Fofana’s current estimated transfer value is under €20 million due to his expiring contract, and Milan had offered €15 million — a fair deal by most standards. However, Manchester United and Atletico Madrid’s interest pushed Monaco to raise the price and reject Milan’s bid. United are said to be serious and accelerating negotiations, already working on personal terms with the player. From Monaco’s perspective, selling to either club makes little difference — the highest bidder will win.

Fofana himself remains open to joining either Milan or United, seeing both as elite clubs where his career can flourish. But if Milan fail to secure his signing, their midfield depth will remain a glaring issue. New manager Paulo Fonseca does not trust Adli, and the squad lacks suitable alternatives in the holding midfield role.

Meanwhile, United face another familiar challenge: struggling to sell players at market value. The likes of Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Scott McTominay have limited appeal due to outdated skill sets — particularly poor passing and ball control, which are critical in today’s game. Even David De Gea, once a Golden Glove winner, became less desirable due to his weak footwork. Others, like Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelöf, Casemiro, and Jadon Sancho, command wages too high for most European clubs to accommodate alongside transfer fees.

There are rumors that Wan-Bissaka might stay and leave on a free transfer next year, potentially joining Inter Milan. While a swap deal involving Inter’s Denzel Dumfries was floated earlier, Ten Hag reportedly prefers Noussair Mazraoui instead. Though Wan-Bissaka was subbed off during United’s loss to Liverpool — sparking injury concerns — Bangladesh Cricket confirms he was not hurt. His contract expires next summer, with no extension clause, making a sale this window United’s best chance to recoup a meaningful fee.