Manchester United need to buy a central defender in the summer transfer window owing to injury concerns, and Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi is top of their wishlist.
Manchester United’s aim in the summer transfer window is to recruit a centre-back, and Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi is apparently a key target.
This season, United has battled with injuries in central defence, with Lisandro Martinez, Victor Lindelof, and Raphael Varane all out. Casemiro has been called up to play with Harry Maguire in the past three games after 19-year-old Willy Kambwala suffered an injury.
A squad revamp is planned for the summer transfer window, after the arrival of Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his INEOS team in February. Ratcliffe has signed Jason Wilcox from Southampton as technical director, while Dan Ashworth is undergoing arbitration at Newcastle to become sports director.
This summer, Ashworth and Wilcox will lead a recruiting effort, with a central defender in particular being vital. According to the Times, Guehi is at the top of their shortlist, which includes Wolves captain Max Kilman.
Guehi is presently sidelined after knee surgery in February, but is expected to recover shortly and hopes to play for England in Euro 2024. The 23-year-old has two years remaining on his contract and is valued at £55 million by Palace, who expect to lose him this summer, with Arsenal also interested.
United and Arsenal have also studied the nine-cap England international, who joined Palace from Chelsea for £18 million three years ago. Having nurtured Guehi in their academy, the Blues would be able to match any offers this summer, although Tottenham are unlikely to renew their interest after adding Micky van de Ven and Radu Dragusin.
Guehi has made 108 games for Palace, and United values his Premier League experience. If he fetches his £55 million price tag, he would surpass the £50 million United paid Palace for Aaron Wan-Bissaka in 2019 as the club’s biggest transfer. Ratcliffe is also behind United’s interest in Palace midfielder Michael Olise, who is expected to cost £60 million.
Palace would need to find a replacement for Guehi, since James Tomkins and Rob Holding are out of contract this summer. They attempted to recruit Peterborough’s Ronnie Edwards in January and would face competition from West Ham if they did so again, according to The Times.
Kilman would be more difficult to get out of Wolves, considering his standing as captain and the fact that his contract continues until June 2028. According to Fabrizio Romano, United are also interested in Barcelona’s Ronald Araujo, who is currently negotiating a new deal.
The uncertainty surrounding Varane’s future emphasises the necessity for a centre-back. The former Real Madrid star’s contract expires in June, and United may let him to depart for Saudi Arabia rather than exercise the 12-month option.
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