Erik ten Hag approves Man Utd move for Monaco star Axel Disasi | Football

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The Dutchman is keen to bolster his back-line this summer (Picture: Getty Images)

Manchester United are exploring a deal for Monaco defender Axel Disasi as Erik ten Hag looks to add a new defender to his squad this summer, according to reports.

The Dutch coach has already brought in midfielder Mason Mount in a £60million deal from Chelsea, while the club are locked in talks with Serie A giants Inter to sign goalkeeper Andre Onana.

After securing a deal for the Cameroonian shot-stopper, United will then look to land a new number nine to provide much-needed firepower up top.

Ten Hag got through the majority of last season without a reliable, consistent goalscorer to play through the middle but believes Atalanta youngster Rasmus Hojlund could be the ideal solution.

While the need to sign both Onana – a more composed and proficient passer than David de Gea, who has been released – and Hojlund is clear to see, Ten Hag still wants to strengthen his defence too.

The Red Devils made an early play to try and sign Napoli defender Kim Min-jae, who has a €50million (£43m) release clause, but have been gazumped by Bayern Munich who hope to announce the South Korean’s signing in the coming days.

Instead, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano is reporting that United are looking at Monaco’s versatile defender Disasi – though an official approach has yet to be registered.

Monaco defender Axel Disasi

Disasi is also on the radar of Newcastle and PSG (Picture: Getty)

Ten Hag has given the move his approval, though United are conscious of rival interest from Newcastle who are ready to accelerate talks with Monaco in the coming days.

United have already held talks with Disasi and his entourage, but Newcastle have also made contact in recent days and are better positioned to ramp up talks.

As things stand, the Red Devils’ full focus is on signing Onana and Hojlund – which are regarded as priority issues – while any move for a defender is likely to be dependent on the budget that is left over.

United are also expected to try and offload players in order to bolster their kitty, with Ten Hag keen to sell captain Harry Maguire.

The England international is one of the club’s biggest earners – and his salary has gone up due to United’s qualification for the Champions League – but he has fallen down the pecking order at Old Trafford under Ten Hag.

Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane are the preferred central defensive pairing, while Luke Shaw was routinely preferred to Maguire at left centre-back and Victor Lindelof also impressed in the run-in to underline his worth to the squad.

Disasi would likely provide further cover and competition at centre-half as well as a more defensive option at right-back, which could prompt question marks over Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s future despite some impressive displays in the second half of last season.


MORE : Rasmus Hojlund’s personal trainer drops cheeky Manchester United transfer hint


MORE : Harry Maguire to be stripped of Manchester United captaincy as Erik ten Hag picks successor

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