Manchester United will be looking to add centre backs in the summer transfer window and one top target appears to be on the move.
United fans witnessed a fine defensive performance on Saturday afternoon as Erik ten Hag’s side beat Manchester City 2-1 in the FA Cup final.
Shutting down the likes of Bernardo Silva, Kevin De Bruyne, Phil Foden and Erling Haaland all at once is something few teams have managed.
United did it though with Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez producing outstanding displays to keep City at bay.
Both Martinez and Varane have suffered injury problems this season and with the Frenchman now set to leave this summer, United need more options at the back.
Question marks still surround the likes of Jonny Evans and Victor Lindelof too, so expect centre backs to be key to United’s summer spending plans.
Manchester United target Marc Guehi expected to move
United have already been linked with a number of potential signings with Fulham’s Tosin Adarabioyo believed to be a target.
Adarabioyo fits the bill as a homegrown defender with plenty of Premier League experience, and his status as a free agent this summer is very appealing.
United could look to splash the cash on a different English centre back though with Crystal Palace star Marc Guehi on the wish list.
Reports in April suggested that United are keen on Guehi – and that Palace are fearing losing the centre back this summer.
The Mirror (26/05, p68) report that Palace are now ‘resigned’ to selling Guehi this summer.
The report again acknowledges United’s interest, suggesting that there is a transfer battle on the horizon with Arsenal.
Guehi is valued at around £50million according to this report and Palace may already to be signifying that move is in the pipeline.
Real Betis defender Chadi Riad is heading to Selhurst Park this summer whilst Oliver Glasner wants to reunite with his former Wolfsburg centre back.
Riad and Lacroix coming in would surely mean Guehi moving on, and United may well have a genuine chance of bringing him to Old Trafford.
Guehi fits what Ineos want
Ineos have big decisions to make this summer, starting with the future of boss Erik ten Hag.
The Dutchman has given himself a fighting chance of keeping his job after winning the FA Cup final on Saturday afternoon.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe and co must weigh up Ten Hag’s future and then start to build a squad capable of serious improvement next season.
Reports have suggested that Ratcliffe wants to focus on signing homegrown players, ensuring that United are at the front of the queue for top English talents.
Guehi certainly fits that bill having impressed in his three years at Palace, and he now seems ready for the next step in his career.
United could offer that prospect as Guehi looks to establish himself as a first-choice England centre back moving forward.
£50million isn’t cheap, especially after United’s repeated investment in the centre back position, but Guehi could be the man for the long-term at Old Trafford – and he could join forces with Harry Maguire, who dubbed the ex-Chelsea talent ‘amazing’ in 2023.