Manchester United are chasing Ousmane Diomande in a cut-price deal

Manchester United will make strengthening their defense a priority this summer. There has been no shortage of defensive transfer targets and another has emerged as a potential replacement for Raphael Varane.

According to The Express, United are considering a move for Ousmane Diomande, with Sporting prepared to lower their asking price.

The 20-year-old has also been linked with moves to Liverpool and Newcastle.

United reportedly met with Diomande’s representatives earlier this season, a sign that the ice had already broken between the two sides.

Diomande, 20, is a ball-playing defender who has the potential to be a terrific bargain. He fits the profile of a right centre-back to replace Varane, with his skills suited to play alongside a player like Lisandro Martinez.

Sporting need money through player sales this summer, but manager Ruben Amorim’s only request is to keep hold of former Coventry City star Viktor Gyokeres. Two players they could cash in on are Diomande and fellow defender Goncalo Inacio.

Diomande has a release clause of £68m but it remains to be seen if he can be had for less, with Sporting setting the bar at £51m to attract more interest in their player.

That said, Sporting could accept a fee of around £35m and United are mulling a bid.

Further discussions are expected once Erik ten Hag’s future is clarified.

United need defensive reinforcements

After the season we’ve just had, it should go without saying that United need to sign better defenders.

On a further note, it is crucial that they do not arrive as injury prone as availability will be key next season. Ten Hag can’t afford another season of injuries because he won’t survive. We don’t even know if he will survive in the United job this week.

With Varane gone and the possibility of a few more defenders, United should be looking for youth options.

The best defenders for the future of European football.

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