Man Utd 'set sights' on £26m player who could solve Erik ten Hag issue

Manchester United could make a move for Alessandro Buongiorno in the near future with reports suggesting INEOS chiefs are keen on the Torino defender. Buongiorno has been a regular feature for a Torino outfit known for their iron-clad defence this season. The Serie A side have conceded just 18 league goals, a total bettered only by title-challenging duo Inter Milan and Juventus.

That form has attracted plenty of interest and reports in Italy have suggested that AC Milan are eyeing a January move for the 24-year-old. Manager Stefano Pioli is keen to strengthen at the back ahead of what he hopes to be a late push for top-spot. But now FootballTransfers reports that INEOS are admirers of Buongiorno and see the defender as a useful target for either United or their French side, OGC Nice. Erik ten Hag is keen to lower the age profile in central defence, with three of his current five options 30 or above.

There is also uncertainty surrounding the future of Raphael Varane, whose contract expires in the summer. United opted against activating a 12-month extension on his deal at a time when doing so for three others, fuelling suggestions he could leave on a free on June 30.

Milan are keen on landing Buongiorno this month but United might be encouraged to hear Torino's stance on their defender. Club president Urbano Cairo recently admitted that the Italian giants have the funds to afford a deal but insisted he is not for sale in January.

“Milan have the money, but we renewed his contract until 2028," Cairo told Radio Rai. "There’s no talking about him, I don’t want to sell him. He wants to stay at Torino, I want to keep him. He is growing a lot.”

Should Buongiorno remain in Turin until the summer then United could put themselves in the driving seat financially. With the new investment of Sir Jim Ratcliffe set to be ratified in the coming months, they would almost certainly have the backing to outbid Milan.

But strangely enough, a successful defensive signing for United this summer could instead pave the way for Buongiorno to join Nice. Ten Hag's side are known admirers or Jean-Clair Todibo and should he move to Old Trafford, funds and squad space will open up for Ratcliffe's other side to invest.

Todibo has also been on Tottenham's radar, although they eased the demand for defensive reinforcements by signing Radu Dragusin from Genoa last week.