Reports state that Manchester United has selected their main defensive target for the next summer.
The future of Raphael Varane at Manchester United is in doubt as the Frenchman has dropped in the hierarchy after making an impression in the previous two games and earning a starting spot.
Given that Varane is thirty years old, Erik ten Hag is naturally eager to acquire a younger centre defender to back up Lisandro Martinez when he recovers from his injury.
The Red Devils have been connected to OGC Nice’s Jean-Clair Todibo, but it appears that the Old Trafford club has chosen a different top target for that role.
United’s primary objective
In anticipation of a move next summer, United has identified SL Benfica center-back Antonio Silva as their top target, according to a post by German writer Florian Plettenberg.
There are several conditions attached to this transfer, but before United moves further, they want to learn more about Silva’s contract status at the Portuguese powerhouse. The defender has a €100 million (£86 million) release clause in his agreement.
Despite being only 20 years old, the defender fits United’s age profile perfectly. The young Portuguese player completes an impressive 94% of his passes on average.
Though it seems improbable that the Red Devils will spend £86 million to buy a relatively unknown center-back, the sum itself may be a sticking issue.
Read more: It has been alleged that Manchester United’s top defensive target for 2024 would come at an unbelievable cost.
The budget of United
The club’s budget is unknown, but it would be surprising if United spent most of it on the Portuguese defender when there are other quality choices available at reasonable prices.
When Sir Jim Ratcliffe completes his 25% acquisition of the club, which might happen at any time, United will know how much money they have available for transfers.
Therefore, Todibo would be a better choice because he would be around half as expensive as Silva and has demonstrably demonstrated his ability at a higher level.
Still, Silva, 20, appears to be the player the Red Devils want to sign next summer.
