Manchester United submit offer for centre-back & ramp up interest in Chelsea star

Several updates surrounding Manchester United’s attempts to land a new central defender have emerged recently.

Manchester United currently have four senior central defenders in the form of Harry Maguire, Raphael Varane, Victor Lindelof and Eric Bailly.

The latter of that quartet is fairly injury prone and does not play too much even when fit. This leaves just Lindelof, Maguire and Varane.

And whilst all three can be solid on their day, Lindelof has had a fairly mixed stint in England to date whilst Maguire is struggling for form at club level.

So, a fresh central defender coming in this summer would probably be a wise move for Manchester United.

And they do look to be eyeing at least two right now. As per Bild (cited by Goal), Manchester United have submitted an offer for Borussia Dortmund defender Manuel Akanji.

The Red Devils are said to be prepared to hand the 26-year-old a four-year contract worth €15 million per year.

In terms of how much Manchester United need to pay BVB for Akanji, it is believed Dortmund may be prepared to let him go for around €30m this summer. This comes with the stopper’s current deal up in 2023.

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Manchester United eyeing Chelsea’s Antonio Rudiger

Elsewhere, reports of Manchester United’s interest in Antonio Rudiger have re-emerged.

The Mirror (via Goal), report that Manchester United are ramping up their pursuit of Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger.

This comes with Rudiger heading into the final four months of his current deal at Chelsea. Ralf Rangnick is said to be a fan of the German.

But as Manchester United are currently below Chelsea in the PL, would Rudiger want to downgrade clubs? Only time will tell but you would assume he would go where he can win more trophies, something United do not do often.