Manchester United are reportedly in the race to sign a League One defender valued at £10million as Michael Carrick looks to bolster his squad. The Red Devils have been busy in the transfer market, with over £80m spent on midfield duo Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans, while goalkeeper Karl Darlow has joined on a free transfer from rivals Leeds United.
Transfer targets and squad needs
Carrick is aiming to purchase one more midfielder, a left-sided player and a second striker, and improve his squad depth in general as the club returns to Champions League football. Defence is an area that needs strengthening with Matthijs de Ligt still recovering from a back injury, while Lisandro Martinez will return to Carrington late this summer after reaching the World Cup final with Argentina. Veteran Harry Maguire and youngsters Leny Yoro and Ayden Heaven are the only other senior centre-back options.
Interest in Ben Nelson
To that end, the Red Devils are interested in signing Ben Nelson from Leicester City, with the Daily Mail reporting that the defender has told the club he wants to leave the King Power. A product of Leicester’s academy, the 22-year-old made 27 appearances for the Foxes last year as they suffered the humiliation of back-to-back relegations to League One. West Ham have also shown interest in the England U20 star, while Torino and Borussia Monchengladbach have had offers rejected for the 6ft 5in centre-back.
Valuation and competition
Leicester are holding firm on their £10m valuation – which would make Nelson the third most expensive League One player in history – and it remains to be seen whether that deters United from making a bid. Nelson is also capable of playing at left-back, with United short in that position too. While he remained fit last season Luke Shaw has a poor injury record and it does not seem that Ruben Amorim signing Patrick Dorgu is trusted to play at full-back, with Carrick utilising him in a more advanced role.
United kicked off their pre-season on Saturday with a friendly against Wrexham in Helsinki.
