Manchester United Close To Signing Midfielder Who Was Rejected By Real Madrid: Reports

Manchester United are reportedly close to signing Marseille midfielder Boubacar Kamara ahead of the 2022 January transfer window.

Manchester United are in advance talks with the French club over the winter transfer of Kamara, reported Catalan publication El Nacional. However, International Business Times could not verify it independently.

The talented midfielder is being chased by other European clubs as well but the Red Devils, "in the last few hours," have been "trying to gain a position" to sign Kamara and beat AC Milan, according to Italian media outlet Calciomercato.

Zinedine Zidane wanted to land Kamara during his time at the helm at Real Madrid. But the club had rejected the midfielder for various reasons, the El Nacional report further claimed.

Manchester United's new head coach Ralf Rangnick is set to be the club's interim manager until the end of the season, after which he will work as a consultant for two years. Kamara, who is set to be Rangnick's first signing at Old Trafford, is "appreciated" by the German boss for his physical and technical point of view, according to Sports Witness.

The 22-year-old's current contract with Marseille will expire at the end of the 2021-22 campaign and the French player will be free to negotiate with foreign clubs from Jan. 1, should he not sign an extension with the Ligue 1 side.

It is understood that Rangnick wants to add Kamara to Manchester United's midfield, with Paul Pogba, Nemanja Matic and Juan Mata expected to leave the club over the next six or eight months.

Kamara has played 19 competitive games for Marseille this season, helping his side keep nine clean sheets with his pivotal defensive midfield role. The young player is known for his versatility as he can play several midfield positions and also can drop into the defensive line if needed.

With 32 points from 17 games, Marseille are placed second in the 2021-22 Ligue 1 table but are 13 points behind table-toppers Paris Saint-Germain (PSG).

Manchester United are not even in the title race in the Premier League as the Red Devils are currently placed sixth in the table, 17 points behind leaders Manchester City.