Manchester United are reportedly leading the European race for an £87 million Champions League finalist who could be acquired as a replacement for Harry Maguire.
Manchester United are enjoying their best run of form for several years at the moment, thanks to Michael Carrick bringing some life back into the squad.
The Reds have won four and drawn one out of Carrick’s first five Premier League games in charge, leaving them fourth in the table ahead of a trip to Everton on Monday night.
From an attacking perspective, the likes of Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha have heavily bolstered United’s firepower, leading them to already surpass last season’s goal tally of 44 league goals.
Despite these improvements, questions remain about Carrick’s defence, and given the uncertainty around Harry Maguire’s future, the Reds may delve into the central defender market.
United lead race for Bastoni
As reported by Fichajes, United are currently leading the race for world-class defender Alessandro Bastoni, whose contract runs until 2028.
The Inter Milan defender will fetch a fee in the region of £87 million, which the Reds reportedly aren’t put off by. They face competition from the likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona and Arsenal.
As well as the aforementioned sides, both Manchester City and Chelsea are also meant to be closely monitoring the Italian’s situation.
Due to the lack of experienced, top-quality central defenders on the market, Bastoni could become quite sought after if there are any murmurs about him wanting a move.
United eyeing Maguire replacement
It was previously reported, via UtdDistrict, that the Reds already had a contingency plan in place for if Maguire was to depart when his contract expires in the summer.
This report stated that United have already entered the market for centre-backs, due to the fact that Maguire’s departure is more than a possibility.
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Carrick’s side have created a ‘contingency plan’ for if their experienced Englishman were to leave Old Trafford in the summer. Bastoni could be a more than viable replacement.
Although it may be difficult to lure the 26-year-old away from his home country, a move for Bastoni may be worth it, given his incredible qualities both on and off the ball.
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