Manchester United are closely following the development of Al Ahly midfielder Aliou Dieng, according to reports in Egypt.
It is no secret Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is in need of reinforcements in the holding midfield position for United.
United have been linked with moves to Declan Rice and a host of other defensive midfielders in the past to solve the problem position. Reported interest in Dieng will come as a surprise to many.
The 23-year-old Malian international is not a renowned name in European football, but he has been catching the eye for several seasons in Africa.
Dieng was impressive in Al Ahly's march to a third place finish at the FIFA Club World Cup final back in December last year, despite only returning from an injury shortly beforehand.
Reports by African football expert Hugo Zoff sourcing Egypt Daily claim United made an €8m bid for the Malian international in the aftermath of the tournament which have been confirmed by the Ahly TV Live Broadcast. .
Meanwhile, other reports close to Al Ahly claim the Red Devils will monitor Dieng's progress and will send scouts to Al Ahly's CAF Champions League semi-final against ES Tunis this weekend.
Dieng, who has been likened to N'Golo Kante in Egypt, is a voracious ball-winning midfielder with boisterous energy.
at breaking-up play and instigating attacks for his teammates. The midfielder has 16 international caps for Mali with one goal to his name.
With Al Ahly potentially competing in yet another CAF Champions League final, United scouts will no doubt keep a close eye on Dieng's performances.
With plenty of other clubs reportedly in the mix, including strong interest from Germany, Manchester United are certainly not the only club pondering a move.
What do you make of Manchester United's rumoured interest in Aliou Dieng? Would you take him at Old Trafford? Let us know in the comments here.
