Nottingham Forest Selling Ibrahim Sangare to Manchester United for £43m Would Make Little Sense
Manchester United may be showing clear signs of progress under manager Michael Carrick, but the idea that they could sign Nottingham Forest midfielder Ibrahim Sangare for around £43 million seems highly unrealistic. From Forest’s perspective, agreeing to such a deal would make very little sense, especially considering the player’s growing importance to the team and his impressive performances this season.
Sangare has established himself as one of the standout performers in Nottingham Forest’s squad during the current campaign. His influence in midfield has been undeniable, and the team noticeably struggled whenever he was absent. In fact, during the period when Sangare was away representing Ivory Coast at the Africa Cup of Nations, Forest’s performances dipped significantly, highlighting just how crucial he has become to their system.
The Ivorian midfielder originally joined Forest from PSV Eindhoven in the summer of 2023 for an initial £30 million fee, which could rise to £35 million with add-ons. Over the past year, he has steadily grown into a key figure at the club, proving his value through consistent displays and strong defensive work in the middle of the park. Given his development and current form, selling him for £43 million would only bring a modest profit compared to the original transfer fee, making it an unattractive proposition for the club.
Interest in Sangare is beginning to grow across Europe, but letting him leave in the upcoming summer transfer window would be a questionable decision for Forest. Club owner Evangelos Marinakis is unlikely to approve such a move, especially when the financial return would not significantly benefit the club’s long-term strategy. Forest would likely expect a much larger fee for a player who has become so vital to their tactical setup.
There is also the question of Forest’s league status. If the club were to suffer relegation, it would increase the likelihood of several key players leaving, and Sangare could be among them. However, if Forest manage to stay in the Premier League, the situation changes completely. Reports suggest that Manchester United remain hopeful of signing him regardless of Forest’s survival, but the £43 million figure appears far below what the club would realistically accept.
From a financial perspective, the proposed fee would also do little to help Forest with Profit and Sustainability Regulations (PSR). The relatively small margin between Sangare’s purchase price and the reported offer means the club would not gain a significant accounting benefit. As a result, the transfer would offer limited financial incentive.
Furthermore, Forest are already expected to generate substantial income from other potential sales. One player who could bring in a huge fee is Elliot Anderson, with reports suggesting he could command close to £100 million in the market. If that happens, it would remove much of the pressure on Forest to sell other important players.
In addition to Anderson, both Morgan Gibbs-White and Murillo have also been linked with interest from other clubs. Considering the number of key players already attracting attention, allowing Sangare to leave for a relatively low fee—particularly to a team that could end up competing in the same league as Forest—would appear extremely illogical.
Instead of considering a sale, Forest may be better off rewarding Sangare with a new and improved contract. Securing his long-term future at the club would send a strong message about their ambitions and determination to keep their best players.
At the moment, the Ivorian is arguably playing the best football of his career since arriving in England. His ability to break up opposition attacks while also progressing the ball through midfield has made him a central figure in the tactical approach of manager Vitor Pereira. Sangare’s presence allows Forest to transition quickly from defense to attack, which has become a key part of their counter-attacking style.
For these reasons, selling him now—especially for a fee around £43 million—would be a risky and potentially damaging decision. Replacing a midfielder with Sangare’s combination of physicality, defensive intelligence, and passing ability would likely cost the club far more than the proposed transfer fee.
Ultimately, the most logical outcome for Nottingham Forest would be to keep Sangare, extend his contract, and continue building the team around one of their most influential players once their Premier League survival is secured.