Manchester United need reinforcements across the pitch this summer but another defender could be brought to Old Trafford.
Manchester United have thrown money at centre backs over the years.
Harry Maguire, Raphael Varane, Victor Lindelof, Eric Bailly, Lisandro Martinez, Matthijs de Ligt, Leny Yoro… the list just goes on and on.
United’s commitment on De Ligt and Yoro could top £100million with add-ons but Ruben Amorim was appointed in November.
Amorim uses a 3-4-2-1 system, meaning United need to have a number of centre back options for his three-man defence.
That could mean more signings this summer with Lindelof and Jonny Evans set to leave United on free transfers.
Photo by Getty Images/Getty Images
Photo by Getty Images/Getty Images
Manchester United want Koni De Winter
United may be minded to sign centre backs who can play in wide areas, maybe even with experience at full back.
Playing full backs on the outside of a back three is very common in the modern game and we have seen Noussair Mazraoui in such a role under Amorim.
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Tuttomercatoweb now report that United are interested in Genoa defender Koni De Winter, who has experience at both centre back and right back.
It’s noted that Genoa paid just €8million (£6.7million) to sign De Winter permanently from Juventus after shining on loan.
Genoa now want €30million (£25million) for De Winter, sensing an opportunity to rake in big profit.
Italian clubs are unsurprisingly keen with Napoli and Roma keen to sign him this summer.
United are named being in the race too, alongside Tottenham Hotspur, Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich.
Interest is clearly mounting in De Winter and he may well be ideal for the right side of Amorim’s back three.
United target Koni De Winter profiled
De Winter hails from Belgium and spent time with Lierse and Zulte Waregem before being spotted by Juventus.
The 22-year-old headed to Turin at just 16 and impressed in the club’s development setup but only played two first-team games for the club.
After a loan spell with Empoli in the 2022-23 season, De Winter has really found a home with Genoa.
De Winter also landed a first senior Belgium cap in 2024 and there should be many more to come.
Former Genoa boss Alberto Gilardino was quoted by Football Italia as saying that De Winter has ‘incredible potential’, with United seemingly in agreement ahead of the summer window.