Manchester United are apparently willing to let promising winger Amad Diallo go on loan in January, with Southampton vying for his services.
Southampton are trying to beat off competition from other top Championship and European clubs interested in Amad.
The Saints were interested in signing the Ivorian star during the summer transfer window this year, but he sustained a serious knee injury during pre-season.
Southampton, led by Russell Martin, are fourth in the Championship table with 45 points after 23 games this season.
The Red Devils, according to Football Insider, would be open to loaning Amad out next month.
Southampton seek to beat rival teams to the winger, according to FI, and a loan deal is ‘certain to be accepted’.
Amad has made just nine appearances and scored once for Manchester United in all competitions since arriving from Serie A side Atalanta in January 2021 for a record £37 million.
The bright young prospect scored once in five professional appearances for Atalanta after joining the Italian club from the Boca Barco junior program.
In January, the 21-year-old joined Rangers on loan for the duration of the 2021/22 season, scoring three goals in 13 appearances for the Scottish Premiership giants.
The Ivorian then had a successful loan spell at Sunderland in the 2022/23 season, netting 14 goals in 42 appearances across all competitions.
Amad is a full Ivory Coast international who has scored once in four games since making his debut in 2021.
The 21-year-old has been nominated to Ivory Coast’s preliminary team for the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations, which will take place from January 13 to February 11, 2024.
‘Amad should be in a top-tier league.’
Kristjaan Speakman, Sunderland’s sporting director, lauded Amad during his loan time on Wearside last season, but believes he is too excellent to return to the Championship.
“I’m so happy Amad sat in here with me and Tony [Mowbray] at the end of the season and had a vibrant smile on his face,” Speakman said in an interview with The Athletic.
“He adored it. That is, of course, what we desire. Can Amad go back to Sunderland? No, I don’t believe so. He belongs in the top flight, whether it’s in England, La Liga, or the Bundesliga.
“He’s a player at that level.” The personnel here, the players, and the fans have all helped him get back on track, and maybe this will entice more players to join Sunderland.”
