Manchester United could look to strengthen their defensive ranks next summer with a move for one of Europe's leading centre-backs, according to reports - with the Red Devils eyeing up a move for Bayern Munich star Dayot Upamecano to bolster their ranks.
United had a poor campaign last time out, but they did add Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko to their ranks to change their outlook up front. Goalkeeper Senne Lammens has joined from Royal Antwerp, but crucially, there have been no defensive additions. The club are looking to change that with the arrival of Upamecano, who will add continental and international experience should he join.
Report: Man Utd Want Dayot Upamecano on a Free Transfer
Dayot Upamecano of FC Bayern München.
Dayot Upamecano of FC Bayern München.
The report by Fichajes states that United are fighting to sign Upamecano on a free transfer, once his contract at the Allianz Arena runs out next summer.
There are a plethora of defenders who have contracts expiring next summer, including Marc Guehi and Ibrahima Konate to name but a few - though Upamecano is another option and United could look to go for the Frenchman whilst the others are sought-after by Champions League clubs.
Bayern are yet to renew, opening the door to a potential Old Trafford switch, and he's considered one of the Bundesliga's 'most solid players', though his salary demands have stalled talks with the German top-flight champions, sparking interest from United.
United are thought to want to give Amorim the 'tools' to return the club to the upper echelons of the Premier League once again. Despite having the likes of Matthijs de Ligt, Lisandro Martinez and Harry Maguire among others, it's thought that INEOS see Upamecano as a 'significant upgrade' to their defensive ranks.
Upamecano earns around €16million per season (£13.85million), which works out at about £266,000-a-week - which could be a huge amount of money for the Red Devils to part with. However, Casemiro and Maguire are out of contract at the end of the campaign and those wages could be spent on another player in the ilk of Upamecano, who has been dubbed as 'world-class'. Upamecano has been valued at around £51million, which would mark a real coup for United if they were to land him on a free transfer for Ruben Amorim.
Bayern signed him from RB Leipzig in the summer of 2021, and he's gone on to make 156 appearances for the Bundesliga champions in all competitions, winning three league titles, as well as making 154 appearances for Leipzig.
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