Manchester United prepare pursuit of £43m-rated Brazilian defender this summer

Manchester United will be active in the summer transfer market as they search to find a new top-quality centre-back.

Half of the battle for Erik ten Hag, in his attempt to prevent so many goals from being conceded, hangs on whether Lisandro Martinez can recover from injury and stay fit next season.

The Argentina international is arguably United’s only world-class centre-back – when fit – since Raphael Varane’s best days are behind him.

Moreover, the French defender is likely to leave Old Trafford at the end of the season which means a replacement will be needed. The same could be said if United decide to cash in on Harry Maguire or Victor Lindelof.

That is essentially why signing a new top-quality centre-back is one of the priorities for Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s recruitment team, which is in the process of being assembled with Dan Ashworth still on gardening leave at Newcastle after being tipped to become sporting director at United.

However, a fresh report suggests Ashworth is already pulling strings at United ahead of his official arrival.

Ashworth has apparently given the green light for United to make a move for Juventus defender Gleison Bremer, as per The Mirror.

The Brazilian defender, who has also been linked with a move to Chelsea, is thought to have a £43 million release clause in his Juve contact which is ‘unlikely to be viewed as excessive’.

Bremer could be the player that partners Martinez in the heart of defence next season, but it’s important to remember that United get linked with several defenders every week.

The list of potential centre-back targets will only grow between now and the end of the season.

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