Report: United step up interest in Atletico's Lemar

Manchester United have their sights set on adding reinforcements despite the lingering uncertainty over the future of football amid the coronavirus pandemic.

It's understood United are preparing for a busy summer involving numerous player acquisitions and that the club is targeting Atletico Madrid midfielder Thomas Lemar, reports Julien Laurens of ESPN FC.

United appear to be in the process of laying the foundation for a future move after meeting with the 24-year-old's representatives over the past week.

Lemar is reportedly eager to leave because Atletico's style under manager Diego Simeone is not a good match for him.

In January, Simeone admitted Lemar has struggled in Spain since joining Atletico from AS Monaco for €70 million in 2018.

"His characteristics have always excited me. But he hasn't been able to live up to expectations," Simeone told reporters, according to Marca's David G Medina.

Regardless of his struggles, completing a deal could still prove costly for the Red Devils considering Lemar, who United had previously targeted after an impressive 2016-17 campaign in France's Ligue 1 with Monaco, still has over three years remaining on his contract.