Manchester United are showing strong interest in a midfielder who is already being courted by Paris FC. The French club have even already sent offers.
The current period at the Red Devils is turbulent. Ruben Amorim lost his job on 5th January 2026 and, most recently, Manchester United's hierarchy chose Michael Carrick over Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to take the reins until the end of the current season. Or beyond? For that to happen, the 44-year-old Englishman will need to qualify United for the Champions League. No easy task.
In the meantime, Manchester United have drawn up a list of four midfielders – Elliot Anderson, Carlos Baleba, Adam Wharton, Alex Scott – whom Michael Carrick may not coach, as these players could arrive in the north of England in summer 2026.
Manchester United beaten to the punch by Paris FC?
On X, Sacha Tavolieri has revealed a new name of interest to the Red Devils' sporting directorate: Patrick Zabi. The 19-year-old has been thriving at Stade de Reims this season – 18 appearances, two goals, three assists. According to the journalist, Manchester United view him as “the new Pogba”, while the 2018 World Cup winner has not been shining at AS Monaco this season after two spells at Old Trafford (2009-2012, 2016-2022).
However, the sixth-placed Premier League side are not ahead in this race. Paris FC are indeed pushing hard for the Ivorian, having sent “three offers” in December 2025 for the box-to-box midfielder. The latest, which was rejected, was €15m (£13.2m) plus €10m (£8.8m) in bonuses. Sacha Tavolieri reports that the 15th-placed Ligue 1 side “could return with renewed interest this winter”, while Jurgen Klopp, “commissioned by Red Bull”, has “already spoken” with Patrick Zabi to convince him.
Paris FC or Manchester United for Zabi?
Signed by Reims from Ivoire FC in January 2025 for €100,000, Patrick Zabi is now valued by Transfermarkt at €3m (£2.6m), although his club are demanding €25m (£22m). Stade de Reims want a “package” of this amount to part with their gem, who is attracting interest both in France and abroad.
It is difficult to know which option the Ivorian will choose. A move to Manchester United to become the new Pogba, with all the difficulty surrounding a leap from Ligue 2 to the Premier League? Or a smaller step up, joining Ligue 1 and Paris FC as early as this winter? The French club certainly have the money to tempt Stade de Reims and offer the €25m being demanded, with a fixed fee apparently higher than the €15m (£13.2m) of the previous offer.
This article was originally published on Top Mercato.
