MANCHESTER UNITED have drawn up a shortlist of centre-backs to try and sign this summer, according to reports.
Boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer wants to recruit a partner for £80million captain Harry Maguire before next season.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer wants to recruit a new partner for skipper Harry MaguireCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Jules Kounde is on United’s shortlistCredit: Rex Features
This term Victor Lindelof has predominantly been selected, with Eric Bailly and Axel Tuanzebe having also appeared.
If United are to win the trophies that Solskjaer, 47, must deliver – those three just won’t cut it.
An incredibly ambitious move for Sergio Ramos has been mooted, as well as RB Leipzig’s Ibrahima Konate – but ESPN believe that United have drawn up a five-man shortlist that does NOT contain either.
So let’s take a look at who is on the shopping list.
JULES KOUNDE
Sevilla’s Jules Kounde may be relatively slight in stature at 5ft 10in, but he makes up for that in defensive nous.
The Frenchman, 22, has made 70 appearances for Sevilla since joining from Bordeaux in 2019 for around £22million – and the fee would likely be a lot higher this time around as his contract possesses a £65m release clause.
TYRONE MINGS
Man mountain Tyrone Mings has turned heads since re-entering the Premier League with Aston Villa.
The 27-year-old has established himself in the England squad, and could form a partnership for club and country with Maguire.
Tyrone Mings is one of the Premier League’s top defendersCredit: Getty Images – Getty
RAPHAEL VARANE
Raphael Varane is an indispensable member of Zinedine Zidane’s side, having starred across both of his compatriot’s spells in charge.
But with just a year left on his contract come the summer, and with Real Madrid saving up for Kylian Mbappe, perhaps Varane could be tempted to Old Trafford.
Raphael Varane could boot himself out of Real MadridCredit: AFP or licensors
DAVID CARMO
Braga defender David Carmo, 21, has been dubbed ‘the new Virgil van Dijk’ by some, having impressed for the Portuguese side.
And United may try and stop the Reds potentially partnering him with the real thing, by prising him away in the summer.
David Carmo has attracted plenty of interestCredit: Getty Images – Getty
DAYOT UPAMECANO
Dayot Upamecano, 22, has been linked with many top clubs in Europe including Chelsea, Bayern Munich and Liverpool after impressing for RB Leipzig.
A £40m release clause is expected to come into effect in the summer, with United hoping to move to the front of the queue for his signature.
Upamecano will be available for £40million this summerCredit: AFP or licensors
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
