Manchester United continue to chase new centre back additions this summer but may face a transfer fight with Premier League rivals Chelsea.
Whilst much of football’s focus right now is on Euro 2024 and Copa America, Ineos will be focused on Manchester United.
Erik ten Hag is staying on as United boss and Sir Jim Ratcliffe will now be focused on strengthening the United squad this summer.
United won’t have the biggest budget to work with this summer, meaning Ratcliffe and co will need to be clever in the market.
A bid for Everton centre back Jarrad Branthwaite has already been rejected, signalling United’s focus on adding options at the back for Ten Hag.
United are some way off Everton’s £70million demand for Branthwaite and other centre backs are certainly on the radar.
Manchester United face Chelsea battle for Aaron Anselmino
United may well focus on homegrown talents such as Branthwaite under Ineos, but there will be interest in casting the net far and wide.
Boca Juniors talent Aaron Anselmino is one target on the radar for United amid suggestions that Ineos already have a plan in place for him.
Reports in March suggested that United want to sign Anselmino and then loan him straight out to Nice – one of the other Ineos clubs.
The 19-year-old has emerged into the Boca first team and has shown huge potential as a centre back for the future.
United have yet to make a firm move for Anselmino though, and fresh reports about his future have now emerged.
The Mirror claim that United’s Premier League rivals Chelsea have made a first bid to sign Anselmino.
The Blues have offered around £14million but that is short of the £20million Boca are seeking for a deal.
Intriguingly, the report suggests that Chelsea have a similar plan to United; they want to sign Anselmino and loan him to France with Strasbourg.
It’s added that United’s interest in Anselmino would actually be as a complement to a top centre back signing such as Branthwaite.
United seemingly view him as a prospect for the future rather than an immediate first-team talent.
Anselmino stance on summer transfer
One problem may come with Anselmino’s personal stance on a transfer.
The teenager is allegedly in no rush to leave Boca for the Premier League – or to France on loan as part of a summer deal.
Anselmino only made his Boca debut in June 2023 and has only made a handful of first-team appearances.
The potential is there with Anselmino, but there have been many cases of young players making big moves too early.
Anselmino may well believe that he is better off staying in Argentina and learning his craft before making the next step in his development.
United may hope to convince Anselmino by selling him on the plan for his future at Old Trafford, even if that includes a loan to Nice.
Chelsea’s move for Anselmino certainly complicates matters though and just as United face a tricky fight for Branthwaite, a deal for Anselmino may also become a little complex this summer.