---
title: "Chelsea and Man United set to battle for Lille’s Boubakary Soumare"
canonical: "https://readchelsea.com/2020/01/16/chelsea-and-man-united-set-to-battle-for-lilles-boubakary-soumare/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Alex Murray"
section: "Chelsea Features & Analysis"
published: "2020-01-16T21:00:00Z"
modified: "2020-01-16T21:00:00Z"
---

# Chelsea and Man United set to battle for Lille’s Boubakary Soumare

Chelsea and Manchester United are set to battle it out to sign Lille’s Boubakary Soumare, according to [Sky Sports](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/12040/11909775/boubakary-soumare-manchester-united-and-chelsea-set-to-battle-it-out-for-his-capture).

Arsenal had been thought to be interested in a deal, as per [Sky Sports](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/12040/11909775/boubakary-soumare-manchester-united-and-chelsea-set-to-battle-it-out-for-his-capture), but the Gunners, alongside Real Madrid and Valencia, are no longer interested in a move for the midfielder.

![Clive Rose/Getty Images Sport](https://media.readchelsea.com/readchelsea/2020/01/1191041740-1.jpg)

Therefore, the battle for Boubakary Soumare will now reportedly be fought between the Blues and the Red Devils.

However, no decision over a final move is expected until January 26th, when Lille face Paris Saint Germain, according to the [report](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/12040/11909775/boubakary-soumare-manchester-united-and-chelsea-set-to-battle-it-out-for-his-capture).

### Read Chelsea verdict

Chelsea are very much in the race for Soumare now, and he will seemingly be a good signing for the Blues.

The player is a superb defensive midfielder, with leading stats in ball recoveries, winning possession and general distribution as per [Sky Sports](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/12040/11909775/boubakary-soumare-manchester-united-and-chelsea-set-to-battle-it-out-for-his-capture).

Soumare is a midfielder in the ilk of United’s Paul Pogba, and has impressed in his 23 appearances in all competitions this season, including appearing in the UEFA Champions League as per [Transfermarkt](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/boubakary-soumare/profil/spieler/344605).

He looks like he would be a good addition for the Blues, providing them a solid option as a box-to-box midfielder, providing the Blues with a great passer in the middle of the park as per [Sky Sports](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/12040/11909775/boubakary-soumare-manchester-united-and-chelsea-set-to-battle-it-out-for-his-capture).