Manchester United back in contention for in-form Udinese star Oumar Solet | OneFootball

Manchester United could do with defensive reinforcements with multiple centre-backs expected to depart once the current season concludes.

Both Jonny Evans and Victor Lindelof will become free agents and have been linked with moves away from Old Trafford while despite a contract extension, there is talk of INEOS trying to move Harry Maguire on.

Add to this the injury problems of Lisandro Martinez, it makes sense for the Red Devils to try and sign a centre-back once the summer window opens.

Jarrad Branthwaite has been mentioned as a possible addition but the Everton ace will cost a bomb and given the new financial reality around Old Trafford, there is very little chance of the co-owners splurging such an obscene amount on a defender given the pressing need to strengthen in other areas of the pitch.

Solet remains a target

Which effectively means any addition will be a more cost-effective option and Sports Boom have claimed that Udinese’s Oumar Solet is a target for the 20-time English league champions.

He was linked with a move to Manchester in the summer as well while fierce rivals Liverpool were also circling around the Frenchman but in the end, he ended up moving to Italy after mutually terminating his deal with RB Salzburg.

And the 25-year-old has impressed for the Serie A side, helping keep five clean sheets in 10 games while also registering an assist in that time.

The former French U20 international is very comfortable with the ball, raking in the top 99th percentile for successful take-ons and in the 97th percentile for shot-creating actions (via fbref).

Solet’s deal with Udinese is valid until 2027 and he is valued at only £15 million, a much more prudent fee that United can afford to spend.

He is also being chased by West Ham United, Inter Milan and Borussia Dortmund while plenty of other clubs have been scouting him with a view to trying to win the race for his signature once the window opens.

“A string of Premier League clubs are desperate to secure the signature of top French defender Oumar Solet, SportsBoom sources can reveal.

Lots of other clubs in the race

“The sought-after centre-back was a target for West Ham and Liverpool last summer, but now other Premier League clubs are queuing up to try and sign the Udinese ace.

“West Ham are understood to still be interested in signing the player, but SportsBoom has been told Manchester United and another Italian club, Inter Milan, have all made initial enquiries about trying to sign the player. German outfit Borussia Dortmund are also understood to be a big admirer of the player.”

The “superb” defender is eager to test himself at a higher level in order to break into the France national team and a move to the Premier League could suit his game.

Whether United decide to act remains to be seen. First and foremost, Amorim needs a striker, a midfielder and wingback and only if there is money to spare will INEOS likely improve the backline.

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