Manchester United are reported to have drawn up a five-man central defensive transfer wish-list ahead of the January transfer window.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is still on the lookout for another addition to his defence having failed to land anyone in the summer.
And Solskjaer will hope any new signing can help further boost his side’s title aspirations. A win over Wolves on Tuesday evening will lift United to within two points of leaders Liverpool.
As per the Daily Express, via 90min, United’s hierarchy are keen to provide Solskjaer with a new recruit to maintain that push.
The United boss is expected to be given funds of around £40m next month, plus any money United make from sales.
And he will hope that will be enough to land one the men on his shopping list. As per the report, the man at the top of his wishlist is Villarreal defender Pau Torres.
The Spaniard was targeted in the summer, though no concrete move was made. However, he has since gone from strength to strength under Unai Emery.
Torres has a €50m release clause so would fit the bill for Solskjaer. Indeed, our exclusive earlier this year revealed United could look to use Eric Bailly in part exchange.
United also have another LaLiga defender in their sights in the shape of Sevilla’s Jules Kounde. He was subject to interest from Manchester City over the summer until they opted instead for Ruben Dias.
United are also on the hunt for Leicester’s Caglar Soyuncu. The Leicester star has impressed since Harry Maguire’s departure for Old Trafford and was rewarded with a place in the 2020 PFA Team of the Season.
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Two Liverpool targets also wanted
United list is completed by two men also wanted by rivals Liverpool.
As per the report, Soyuncu’s Turkey teammate Ozan Kabak is also on their wishlist. Kabak, 20, has impressed for Schalke and has been strongly linked with Jurgen Klopp’s side.
He’s also being linked with AC Milan. Indeed, a report earlier this month stated a £22m move to the San Siro was close to being finalised next month.
FIFA agent Gaetano Di Caro told Milannews.it: “From what I heard, and I spoke personally to the Schalke general manager about some transfer interest, he’s been in talks with Milan for some time.
“Here in Germany they are certain Milan are already very close to Kabak. The Rossoneri have been after him for a while and were already close when Stuttgart were relegated. But he followed his director to Schalke.
“I also heard that Kabak praised Milan directors Paolo Maldini and Frederic Massara. They were the only club that gave him a real sense they wanted him at all costs.
“Schalke are bottom of the table, they have a lot of debt and their financial situation means they can’t really rebuff Milan for long.”
United also join Liverpool in expressing an interest in Brighton’s Ben White. The defender carved out his name during a season on loan with Leeds last season. His step up into the Premier League has seen him progress even further. Now rated at nearer the £50m mark, the stylish defender would probably prove the most costly of the quintet United are keen on.
Brighton, though, are loathe to sell mid-season. Therefore, it seems United will have to abandon those thoughts for now at least.
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James Marshment
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