Manchester United are preparing moves this summer for another defender – and are set to pay big bucks for one star
(Image credit: Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images)
Manchester United are set to pay big money for a defender who has recently won a title in a bid to bolster their backline.
Last summer, the Red Devils spent big on Lisandro Martinez, who has been a big hit at Old Trafford. The summer previous, it was Raphael Varane who joined the club in a high-profile deal – though both are currently out injured.
With Victor Lindelof and Harry Maguire failing to impress Erik ten Hag, there's a real need for another centre-back, perhaps two, in the Manchester United squad.
Harry Maguire has failed to convince Erik ten Hag (Image credit: Getty)
Corriere dello Sport in Italy are reporting that United are set to offer £13 million more than Napoli star Kim Min-jae's release clause in a bid to bring the South Korean to the Premier League.
Kim has recently won the Scudetto in Italy with Napoli after a forming season in which he's stepped into the breach vacated by Kalidou Koulibaly. His release clause is said to be around £40m.
Furthermore, United are said to be "in pole position" for Monaco star Axel Disasi, according to the Manchester Evening News. The club would pay around £40m for his services, according to reports.
Both dominant centre-backs who command the defence well, Disasi and Kim would complement both Lisandro Martinez and stand-in centre-back Luke Shaw well. Their combined price would only just be more expensive than their record signing in this area of the pitch.
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Kim Min-jae celebrates with fans on the pitch following Napoli's title win (Image credit: Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images)
The 20-time champions broke the bank for Harry Maguire, paying upwards of £75m for his services. This summer, they look set to lose him for considerably less.
Mark White has been at on FourFourTwo since joining in January 2020, first as a staff writer before becoming content editor in 2023. An encyclopedia of football shirts and boots knowledge – both past and present – Mark has also represented FFT at both FA Cup and League Cup finals (though didn't receive a winners' medal on either occasion) and has written pieces for the mag ranging on subjects from Bobby Robson's season at Barcelona to Robinho's career. He has written cover features for the mag on Mikel Arteta and Martin Odegaard, and is assisted by his cat, Rosie, who has interned for the brand since lockdown.
