Fabrizio Romano names four players on Man Utd’s transfer ‘list’

Fabrizio Romano has claimed Manchester United have identified four defensive targets in the transfer market, with the Red Devils keen to sign a new centre-back.

United wanted to recruit at the heart of defence last summer, but the need to  strengthen in other positions meant the club didn’t have the funds available to bring in a new defender. Harry Maguire’s transfer to West Ham United breaking down also prevented another Old Trafford incoming, and the Red Devils would have moved to replace the England international had he departed.

But, according to Romano, the club have already identified potential centre-back arrivals in the coming windows, with players from Nice, Bayer Leverkusen, Benfica and Sporting all on United's radar.

“[Jean-Clair] Todibo is 100 percent on the list, they already had very positive contacts with agents in the summer,” the Italian journalist told the United Stand.  “They know the player is very keen on the move, he dreams of Premier League football.

“Man United are already at a good point of discussions with the player’s side, but at this stage there is not even a negotiation because it will take time for United to decide this is the player they want.

“But, for sure, Todibo is on the list and he is a player they are still scouting. He is doing fantastic with Nice - last season he was very good but this season he is one of the best centre-backs in the Ligue 1. That’s the positive news for Manchester United scouts.

“But there are other players,” he continued. “[Edmond] Tapsoba was a player they considered this summer but was never a priority because it was super expensive. It was always very expensive, I think something around €55m/€60m (£47.5m/£52m). Way too expensive for Man United last summer but let’s see what’s going to happen this summer.”

“Antonio Silva is one of the favourite options of Man United,” Romano added. “Last summer he was untouchable at Benfica, so for Man United it was not even possible to negotiate for Antonio Silva, but he remains a player Manchester United are following, are scouting, and they have an excellent relationship with his agent, Jorge Mendes. For sure, it’s an option that will be discussed at Manchester United in the next months, in the new centre-back search they are doing.

“Then I would add one more name who has different sorts of skills because he is left footed. This is Goncalo Inacio, the centre-back from Sporting who has been for a long time on the list of many clubs, including Newcastle and Liverpool. Man United, in their trips to Portugal monitoring Antonio Silva, are also keeping an eye on Goncalo Inacio. He is a player they really appreciate.”