Manchester United remain in the hunt for new signings as Erik ten Hag looks to continue bolstering his squad ahead of the upcoming season, with the Dutchman looking to change the club’s fortunes around and get them back where they belong.
And although Lisandro Martinez has arrived from Ajax, United are now reportedly keeping tabs on another defender in the form of AS Monaco star Benoit Badiashile, with Eric Bailly predicted to depart by the end of the summer. Elsewhere, Juventus are eyeing Anthony Martial as a replacement for Alvaro Morata.
Mirror Football takes a look at all the latest transfer stories coming out of Old Trafford…
United keeping tabs on Monaco star
United already have Raphael Varane, Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof and Eric Bailly in their ranks, along with new signing Martinez, but there could still be another central defender through the door over the next month.
According to French media outlet L’Equipe, via Sport Witness, United are ‘keeping tabs’ on AS Monaco centre-back Benoit Badiashile, who has also been a ‘long time contender’ as a possible option for Chelsea, and is highly-rated across Europe following an impressive season for the Ligue 1 outfit.
However, Monaco will demand at least £42m to let one of their key players leave, with the 21-year-old racking up 34 appearances last season as his side finished third in the league, reached the semi-finals of the Coupe de France and made it to the last 16 of the UEFA Europa League.
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Juventus target Martial
Anthony Martial’s time at Manchester United seemed up after another disappointing season for the Red Devils, in which he spent the second half of the campaign on loan at Sevilla, yet his pre-season form under Erik ten Hag may have turned his fortunes around.
Three goals in four starts this summer has been impressive for the Frenchman, but now United may have to ward off interest from elsewhere with Serie A giants Juventus said to be monitoring the 26-year-old.
According to Sky Sports News, Massimiliano Allegri’s side have identified Martial as one of two potential targets should they fail to sign Alvaro Morata again this summer. Morata spent last season on loan with Juventus but they are refusing to activate his £29.7m option-to-buy clause as they hope to negotiate a lower fee.
Eric Bailly could still be sold this summer
Manchester United defender Eric Bailly has somewhat become a forgotten man at Old Trafford after hardly featuring for the Red Devils last season due to injury, Africa Cup of Nations duty and failing to impress Ralf Rangnick enough to start.
But the Ivorian has had the chance to impress in pre-season under Erik ten Hag and produced two moments of brilliance to set up goals in the victories against Liverpool and Melbourne Victory, although he still remains far down the pecking order in defence as fifth-choice centre back.
Now, transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano, speaking on The United Stand, has said that the Red Devils could still accept a bid for Bailly this summer and sell him later on in the transfer window, despite his wishes to remain at the club, with Lisandro Martinez’s arrival edging him closer to the exit door.
