Man Utd BACK IN for Monaco star

Tom Weber

• Updated: 22 Mar 2023 10:35 GMT
• 3 min read

Manchester United's interest in Monaco star Axel Disasi is becoming more concrete, according to reports.

The Red Devils are set to overhaul their defensive department in the summer as Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelöf have fallen out of favour under Erik ten Hag, who has preferred to use the centre-back partnership of Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez.

Lindelöf's stint at Old Trafford has been a mixed bag overall, and it would be unsurprising to see him depart. As for Maguire, Gareth Southgate recently acknowledged that the 30-year-old's situation was "not a perfect scenario."

READ: Southgate puts pressure on Harry Maguire to leave Man Utd

Maguire's England spot could be in jeopardy if he continues to play second fiddle to Varane and Martinez, so he too might be interested in a move away. With uncertainty looming over the two, and given Varane's history of fitness issues, Manchester United are said to be in the market for a new centre-back.

Talks with Disasi

One answer to United's defensive situation could be AS Monaco's Axel Disasi. The 25-year-old has been nothing short of imperious for the Ligue 1 club, with his side currently sitting in 4th, three points off surprise package RC Lens.

Besides impressive defensive performances, the towering, 1.90 metres (6 feet, 2 inches) defender has chipped in with two goals and three assists in league action this season, as well as scoring three times in European competition. His outings have earned him a call-up to Didier Deschamps' latest France squad.

Manchester United already held preliminary talks with Disasi back in January, and those talks have now evolved into concrete interest, according to the Daily Mail. It is understood that Disasi would set the English giant back around €44 million.

United are one of several clubs monitoring the Frenchman, whose contract is up in 2025. With Paris Saint-Germain, Tottenham and Bayern Munich also lurking, the Red Devils could face fierce competition in the race to secure the 25-year-old's signature.

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As for Disasi, he would favour a move to the Premier League, telling RMC last summer amid PSG links: "I like England, it's a very exciting league, let's say it's my favourite league."