Manchester United’s summer spending looks set to continue.
Jose Mourinho said at his unveiling as United manager that he is seeking to sign four players, and has so far completed three of those deals.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Eric Bailly and Henrikh Mkhitaryan have joined the club, with Paul Pogba’s transfer from Juventus, or another midfielder, expected to be the fourth.
However, according to Duncan Castles, a journalist with close links to the former Chelsea manager, United want to sign at least one more central defender.
Ezequiel Garay, Jose Fonte and Leonardo Bonucci are understood to be Mourinho’s targets.
Bonucci has been linked with a move to Manchester City, and the 29-year-old Juventus defender would reportedly cost £60m.
Southampton defender Fonte, who impressed as Portugal won Euro 2016, would be a less complicated deal to complete. The 32-year-old has two years remaining on his current deal.
While Garay plays for Zenit Saint Petersburg, and the 29-year-old Argentine was reportedly target for United in the past.
It appears the United manager’s famed distrust of younger players is influencing his search for a new defender.
According to The Sunday Times report, Mourinho has: “concerns about a back four whose most experienced member is 26-year-old Chris Smalling. He is looking to add a seasoned central defender capable of leading a reshaped defence and is also understood to be considering a new right-back.”
Monaco right-back Fabinho is understood to be on Mourinho’s radar, with Matteo Darmian potentially returning to Serie A.
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