Man United step up pursuit of £44m-rated Monaco defender Axel Disasi – as Erik ten Hag targets a new centre back with Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof facing uncertain Old Trafford futures
- Manchester United had held initial discussions over Axel Disasi in January
- Monaco are prepared to sell the defender for a hefty fee this summer
- Uncertainty looms over the futures of Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof
Manchester United have stepped up their interest in Monaco defender Axel Disasi ahead of a possible summer move for the France international.
Sportsmail first revealed back in January that United had held initial discussions over the 25-year-old, who has been called up by Didier Deschamps following an injury to William Saliba.
Talks have continued ahead of the summer transfer window, with United said to be one of several Premier League clubs to have made contact over Disasi.
The defender’s deal with Monaco runs until the summer of 2025 but sources in France say the Ligue 1 side are prepared to sell this summer – albeit for a hefty fee, said to be around £44million.
United are expected to be in the market for a new centre back this summer, amid uncertainty over the long-term futures of Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof, and fitness concerns surrounding Raphael Varane.
Man United are one of several Premier League clubs to have made contact over Axel Disasi
The defender’s current contract expires in 2025, with Monaco open to selling him this summer
Harry Maguire (left) and Victor Lindelof (right) have uncertain long-term futures at the club
Talks are set to continue over the future of Disasi, who can also play right back and has started all but one of Monaco’s Ligue 1 games this season.
He has occasionally captained the side, too, and his performances have only fuelled speculation over his next move, with Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich, Tottenham and West Ham among the clubs linked with the 25-year-old.
Disasi has made no secret of his affection for the Premier League, explaining last year: ‘I like England, it is a very exciting league. We can say that it is my favourite league. Between Paris and the Premier League? The place where I can progress the most.’
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