MANCHESTER UNITED are one step away from completing their first signing of the summer transfer window, according to reports in France.
United are on the lookout for a new centre-back to stand alongside Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane next season.
According to L’Equipe, they are close to signing Monaco’s Axel Disasi, who was previously linked with Chelsea and Bayern Munich.
The move has seemingly come out of nowhere, with reports claiming that United have “no issue” in matching the French club’s asking price of around £44million.
Disasi has made 129 appearances for Monaco, playing both centrally and at right-back.
The 25-year-old has been capped three times by France and was part of their World Cup squad which lost to Argentina in the final in December.
United manager Erik ten Hag is determined to bolster his defensive options, with Harry Maguire likely to leave the club.
Club captain Maguire was the Red Devils’ record defensive signing when he joined from Leicester for 85m back in 2019.
But has been heavily linked with a move to Tottenham in recent days after his much-publicised form struggles.
The Premier League giants have also been linked with Napoli centre-back Kim Min-jae, which would cost them 43m in a release clause.
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Centre-back Victor Lindelof looked to be heading for the exit, but he impressed Ten Hag after stepping into the team towards the end of the season.
However, the club are still open to offers for the Swedish international.
Eric Bailly – who spent this season on loan at Marseille – is set to leave United in a permanent deal.
Meanwhile, Axel Disasi has his heart set on the Premier League, with the Red Devils being his first choice.
L’Equipe report that although the deal for Disasi is ‘close’, the two clubs have not actually commenced final negotiations.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
