Manchester United eye Sporting defender in cut price deal

Manchester United will make it a priority to strengthen the defence this summer. There has been no shortage of defensive transfer targets and another has emerged as a potential replacement for Raphael Varane.

According to The Express, United are considering a move for Ousmane Diomande with Sporting prepared to lower their asking price.

The 20-year-old has also been linked with moves to Liverpool and Newcastle.

United allegedly met with Diomande’s representatives earlier this season, a sign the ice had already broken between the two parties.

Diomande, 20, is a ball-playing defender who has the potential to be a tremendous bargain. He fits the profile of a right-sided centre-back to replace Varane, with his skillset suited to playing alongside a player like Lisandro Martinez.

Sporting need cash through player sales this summer, but manager Ruben Amorim’s only demand is to keep former Coventry City star Viktor Gyokeres. Two players they could cash in on are Diomande and fellow defender Goncalo Inacio.

Diomande has a £68m release clause but it remains to be seen if he can be got for less, with Sporting setting the bar at £51m to attract more interest in their player.

That said, Sporting may accept a fee in the region of £35m and United are mulling over a proposal.

Further talks are expected once Erik ten Hag’s future is made clear.

United need defensive reinforcements

After the season we just had it should go without saying that United need to sign better defenders.

On an additional note, it’s crucial they aren’t arrived as injury prone because availability will be key next season. Ten Hag can’t afford another season of injuries because he won’t survive. We don’t even know if he’ll survive in the United job this week.

With Varane leaving and possibility a few more defenders, United should be on the lookout for youngster options.

The best defenders for the future of European football.

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