Manchester United are heading towards another important summer transfer window as the club bids to further close the gap on arch-rivals Manchester City.
Pep Guardiola’s side are cruising to a fourth Premier League crown since United last won English football’s biggest prize in 2013.
However, United have been City’s closest challengers and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s team have had the edge in recent derby games.
There are still some areas for Solskjaer and United’s transfer committee to address before the club can truly compete with City across a full campaign.
Both teams will go head-to-head for Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland, who is set to move for an astronomical fee well in excess of £100million.
But signing a new centre-back is of equal importance to United, whose defensive record lags behind their rivals.
Ruben Dias - a big money signing from Benfica last year - has transformed City’s defence in a similar way to Virgil van Dijk at Liverpool a few years ago.
They’ve only conceded 21 goals this term - 11 fewer than United in the Premier League - and that has allowed them to pull away from the pack.
United have been targeting an elite partner for captain Harry Maguire for some time and numerous options have emerged this season.
The Sevilla defender Jules Kounde has been extremely impressive in Spain and, at 22, has his best years ahead of him. Dortmund’s Dan-Axel Zagadou is another who has shown plenty of promise.
Ibrahima Konate has also been touted for a move to Old Trafford but Liverpool appear to have edged ahead in the race to sign him, though nothing has been agreed between the Anfield club and RB Leipzig.
Liverpool’s move for Konate could clear the path for United to make a move for long-term target Kalidou Koulibaly.
Unlike the three aforementioned centre-backs, Koulibaly has bags of experience at the highest level in Europe and would offer Maguire an instant world class partner in the heart of United’s back-line.
It’s been claimed in the past that United bid an astonishing £95million for Koulibaly whilst Jose Mourinho was Old Trafford chief.
"Mourinho wanted him, we rejected £95million," Napoli chairman Aurelio De Laurentiis told Corriere del Mezzogiorno at the time.
Koulibaly, who will turn 30 over the summer, wouldn’t appeal to United at that price, but recent reports in Italy have suggested Napoli could sell him for a fraction of what they once wanted.
It is claimed an offer of around €45million (£38.8m) could be accepted by Napoli who, like all clubs around Europe, are feeling the financial effects of the pandemic.
Bayern Munich are said to be interested in Koulibaly, whilst Everton - who are managed by ex-Napoli boss Carlo Ancelotti - are also reportedly in the running.
Liverpool, however, appear to have taken their eye off Koulibaly as they look towards the future with Konate.
United could take advantage of Liverpool’s long-term planning by swooping for a player who would be the final piece of the jigsaw in their defence.
