Manchester United are apparently preparing to make Monaco center-back Axel Disasi their first summer acquisition, with reports in France saying that the club is 'closing in' on the defender.
The Red Devils are expected to add another defender this summer, with Harry Maguire likely to leave the club in search of first-team football and Victor Lindelof's future uncertain as he considers his next move, with the Swede firmly second choice at Old Trafford to preferred pairing Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane.
According to French source L'equipe, Erik ten Hag has chosen Monaco's Disasi to fill that need, with the 25-year-old having impressed in Ligue 1 in previous seasons. Taken to the World Cup as part of Didier Deschamps' squad, the Frenchman has over 200 professional appearances to his name and, according to the latest rumours, is 'opting to join the Red Devils'.
They go on to say that 'the two clubs have yet to initiate formal discussions,' but that a fee of between 40 and 50 million euros is expected to be agreed upon, and that Manchester United will have 'no problem paying' that amount for his services.
If the deal is completed, it will likely signal the end of their interest in Napoli star Kim Min Jae, but it will not be the end of the Red Devils' transfer activity, with Mason Mount in negotiations about a possible move to Old Trafford and a striker also high on the list of priorities.
Aside from that, they are expected to sign another central midfielder and a goalkeeper in what could be a very busy summer for Erik ten Hag's team.
According to The Times, INEOS and Ratcliffe 'have emerged as the clear favourites to strike a deal' and have 'reached the last phases of negotiations with Raine, the New York bank handling the sale'.
According to reports, Sheikh Jassim's fifth bid was "sent directly to the Glazers and Raine" and "points to him sensing he may have lost to Ratcliffe." The Qataris are reportedly planning to 'withdraw from the process' if their fresh bid is not accepted by Friday's deadline.
'Ratcliffe appeared to have pulled off a masterstroke when his offer allowed two of the Glazer brothers, United co-chairmen Joel and Avram, to keep a stake.' However, it is feared that "all six Glazer siblings may want to retain a shareholding as well."
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