PSG wants to strengthen its midfield by the end of the summer transfer window. With this in mind, the club of the capital has notably targeted Ibrahim Sangaré.
The 25-year-old Ivorian midfielder, revealed in Toulouse, has established himself as an essential element at PSV Eindhoven.
Despite a disappointing result, Luis Enrique managed a rather attractive baptism against Lorient on Sunday, during the first day of Ligue 1 (0-0).
With enormous possession, incessant pressing and a collective desire, the PSG coach laid the foundations of his game plan.
But, like everyone else, he noted certain shortcomings within his workforce.
Especially in the midfield. With the upcoming departures of Leandro Paredes and Renato Sanches from AS Roma and that expected of Marco Verratti (courted by Al Hilal in Saudi Arabia), the midfield of the capital club lacks consistency.
Manuel Ugarte, recruited for 60 million euros from Sporting, made a good impression against Les Merlus, with his grinta and his volume of play.
But PSG still wants to improve his key sector with two reinforcements by the end of the summer transfer window .
A creative environment is hoped for, as well as a more athletic element, capable of striking and bringing impact to its initiatives.
Regarding this second profile, the Parisian leaders notably targeted Ibrahim Sangaré.
A physical and box-to-box profile
As explained by RMC Sport, the track leading to PSV Eindhoven’s midfield has been revived in recent days. Under contract until 2027, the 25-year-old Ivorian, who extended his contract last summer, has a release clause of 37 million euros.
Discussions are underway but Paris must deal with strong competition from Bayern Munich in this matter.
Able to evolve in front of the defense or as a torchbearer, Sangaré displays an imposing size on the ground (1.91m). His physical qualities allow him to do a lot of defensive work, being aggressive in the duel and dominant in the air.
Although he’s not the most technical player on his team, he’s capable of breaking the lines ball at the foot, in a box-to-box style, and unleashing heavy shots from the edges of the box.
He seems less at ease in small spaces but his sense of placement and his ability to reproduce efforts often relieve his partners.
Launched very young in Toulouse
Born in December 1997 in Abidjan, he used his first crampons at Tout Puissant Koumassi, a club located south of the capital of Côte d’Ivoire, before joining AS Denguelé in Odienné, in the northwest of the country, near the border with Guinea.
This is where Toulouse recruited him in the summer of 2016, when he was just of age and had just been named one of the three best hopes in the Ivorian championship.
Seduced by his potential, Pascal Dupraz launched him in Ligue 1 at the start of the school year, with a first start in November against Montpellier (1-0).
Before leaving him to harden himself away from the spotlight of the professional world the following year, to better install him in his eleven at the beginning of 2018 at the age of 20 alongside Giannelli Imbula, Yannick Cahuzac or Alexis Blin.
After scoring his first goal against Monaco (3-3) in February 2018, Ibrahim Sangaré quickly gained momentum in the pink city.
His rupture of the tendon of the big toe in October (two months of absence) did not slow down his meteoric progress.
Under the orders of Mickaël Debève, Alain Casanova, then Antoine Kombouaré, the Ivorian hopeful has gained depth and confidence over his matches at the Stadium. By facing PSG twice.
But its solid and remarkable performances did not prevent the TFC from being relegated to Ligue 2 at the end of the 2019-2020 season, which was cut short due to the Covid pandemic.
After two appearances in L2, Sangaré joined PSV Eindhoven the following summer for 7 million euros.
And the big right-hander, who played 86 games with Toulouse (2 goals, 5 assists, in all competitions), quickly acclimatized to the south of the Netherlands and this is what impressed Roger Schmidt, then on the bench.
“He’s a very good midfielder because he’s good with and without the ball. He’s reliable and strong in duels. He has all the qualities a central midfielder needs,” said the German coach about him.
With PSV, Ibrahim Sangaré has matured over the seasons. He now has 136 appearances with the Batavian club, for 14 goals and 10 assists (in all competitions).
The former Toulousain has played the last three Europa League campaigns (2 goals, 2 assists), without managing to qualify for the round of 16.
After being transferred to the Europa League Conference, he reached the quarter-finals last year (elimination against Leicester). In the Netherlands, he also dusted off his record with two Dutch Cups and two Supercups.
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