Who is Lassine Sinayoko? Manchester United's low-key striker to replace Joshua Zirkzee in summer?

French team AJ Auxerre's Malian striker, Lassine Sinayoko, may join Manchester United in the upcoming summer, reports indicate. Ruben Amorim's team is on the lookout for another forward despite the arrival of Benjamin Sesko, and that search may end with the 26-year-old Malian, who is set to become a free agent in the summer.

ALSO READ | Manchester United will sell Kobbie Mainoo in January for 'exceptional' sum but no loan deal: Report

Auxerre is currently sixteenth in Ligue 1 and United are trying to convince the right-footed star, who can also operate on both wings, to leave his childhood club for Old Trafford, reports said. Sinayoko is currently with Mali for the Africa Cup of Nations and scored against the mighty Morocco. The right-footed player has managed six goals and two assists this season for Auxerre. In total, he has managed 25 goals and 23 assists from 159 games for the club — helping them win the second-tier league in the 2023-24 season.

ALSO READ | Who is Godwill Kukonki, the teenager Ruben Amorim included in Manchester United first-team training?

According to Africa Foot, Manchester United are hopeful of concluding talks with the striker during the winter transfer window so that he can join the club in the summer. The club may even push to secure a pre-contract agreement with him, reports claimed.

The report said that the Premier League club is open to paying him €3 million (£2.6 million) in salary, and the two parties consider the deal to be moving ahead favourably. According to Transfermarkt, Sinayoko is without an agent as things stand.

Why Manchester United need another striker?

The African star's arrival will coincide with Joshua Zirkzee's exit, TeamTalk said in a report. The Dutchman is becoming tired of the lack of opportunities under Amorim and hopes for a return to Serie A. AS Roma is interested in the former Bologna man and United are open to letting him go on a loan deal in January, the report added.

Zirkzee has already said "yes" to Roma, reports claimed, while Fabrizio Romano had claimed that Roma have already made a formal offer to the Red Devils for the 24-year-old, who cost United €42.5 million (£37 million) in the summer of 2024.