Fabrizio Romano: Man United are monitoring these four defenders for ‘important’ transfer

Fabrizio Romano has stated that Manchester United are monitoring at least four different central defenders and could decide to strike for a deal in the January transfer window.

The transfer expert has explained that their ‘important’ signing at the back could come in one of the next two transfer windows.

He has said Lisandro Martinez’s recovery is a ‘key factor’ for United in their decision on whether to aim for a January or summer transfer.

The Argentine defender has been out of action since the Champions League loss against Bayern Munich in September and will be unavailable for at least two more months .

Matched with the consistent injury troubles of Raphael Varane and that’s led to United having 10 different back four combinations in their opening 15 games. The most consistent back four, having played three times together, is Diogo Dalot, Harry Maguire, Jonny Evans and Victor Lindelof.

For a club aiming to reach the top of the Premier League, even with injuries, that is unacceptable and clear reasoning behind the push for another defender.

“The intention of Man United is to sign an important centre-back in 2024,” said Romano on his YouTube channel. “Let’s see whether it will be January or the summer window. It also depends on the opportunities and the budget.”

United were looking at several options in the last summer window when it appeared likely that Maguire would be leaving the club. Both Edmond Tapsoba and Jean-Clair Todibo are options that are being monitored by those at Old Trafford.

Those two are joined by Portuguese talent Antonio Silva, who plays for Benfica, and Gonçalo Inacio, who is also being monitored by the likes of Real Madrid, Liverpool and Newcastle United.

“But for sure, Gonçalo Inacio together with Antonio Silva, (Edmond) Tapsoba and (Jean-Clair) Todibo, for sure, he’s one of the players being monitored by Manchester United,” added Romano.

“So at the moment, it is just about scouting, there is still nothing concrete.”