Manchester United’s summer overhaul continues under Ruben Amorim and INEOS, with the club actively targeting multiple reinforcements across the pitch.
Strengthening the midfield has become increasingly important, particularly with Casemiro expected to leave and Manuel Ugarte struggling in his debut season.
One emerging target is Hicham Boudaoui, who plays for Ligue 1 side Nice. The Algerian midfielder had an impressive campaign in France and recently delivered a solid performance in a friendly against Sweden. His physical attributes and tactical awareness align with Amorim’s vision for the squad.
However, a unique challenge complicates any potential move. Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s INEOS owns both Manchester United and Nice, and UEFA rules concerning multi-club ownership have led to a temporary restriction on player transfers between the two. That restriction lifts on September 1, aligning with the deadline for both the English and French transfer windows.
United scouts have been tracking Boudaoui closely during international duty, seeing him as a cost-effective option in a summer constrained by the club’s absence from the Champions League. With a reported £20 million price tag and two years left on his contract, Boudaoui is also drawing attention from clubs in Spain and Germany.
While Matheus Cunha has already arrived from Wolves in a big-money move, and other targets like Bryan Mbeumo and Hugo Ekitike remain in contention, financial limitations require United to offload players. Marcus Rashford, Antony, Jadon Sancho, and Alejandro Garnacho are all considered candidates for sale to generate necessary funds.
Rebuilding the squad will demand patience and precision, especially with some deals hinging on strict regulatory timelines and UEFA compliance.