Manchester United are reportedly set to battle Manchester City for defender Sikou Niakate of Braga.
The 25-year-old has made an impressive start to the first half of the 2024-25 campaign for the Portuguese side in the highly-rated Primeira Liga.
Niakate has featured on 14 occasions for Braga in the league, scoring once and providing one assist for a teammate from a centre-back position.
Since making the permanent switch from French outfit Metz to Portugal during the summer of 2023, the centre-back has played 57 games, scoring five times.
Niakate also possesses relative international pedigree, having represented Mali on 11 occasions at first-team level since making his debut in November 2017.
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Man United, Man City want Braga's Niakate?
According to Africa Foot, Braga and Mali star Niakate could be hurtling towards a high-profile move away from Portugal during the January transfer window.
The report claims that Premier League champions Manchester City are keen on securing the services of the 25-year-old before the February 3 deadline.
As well as the Citizens, it is understood that local rivals Manchester United are also plotting a swoop for defender Niakate within the next few weeks.
Although Braga are reluctant to lose one of their key players, it is believed that they would be willing to listen to offers upwards of £25m.
It is currently unclear whether either the Red Devils or the Citizens will submit an official bid, however it is said that both are considering such actions.
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Who needs Niakate more?
With Victor Lindelof out due to an ankle injury and potentially leaving in the summer, Man United are certainly in need of defensive reinforcements.
Switching to a 3-4-3 system since the arrival of Ruben Amorim from Sporting Lisbon, there is more emphasis on the centre-back options at Old Trafford nowadays.
Harry Maguire is another first-team stalwart who could be departing from the Theatre of Dreams at the conclusion of the term, making a swoop for Niakate understandable.
Carter White
