Manchester United

Manchester United: Fabrizio Romano provides centre-back transfer update

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Image for Manchester United: Fabrizio Romano provides centre-back transfer update

Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has revealed on his YouTube channel that Manchester United will have to make a ‘big proposal’ to sign either Lisandro Martinez or Jurrien Timber from Ajax.

After finishing with their lowest-ever Premier League points total and a goal difference of zero – with a defence that conceded 57 league goals – new manager Erik ten Hag seems intent on shoring up the backline at United.

They have been heavily linked with a move for Timber, who Ten Hag managed at Ajax, and were even thought to be frontrunners in the race to sign the 20-year-old, but earlier this week, Dutch journalist Marcel van der Kraan said that a move was “absolutely dead in the water(6:37) after comments from Louis Van Gaal threatening his place in the Netherlands side for the upcoming World Cup.

Now the attention seems to be turning to fellow centre-back Martinez (The Times), but while the Red Devils weigh up their options, Romano has confirmed that it would take a considerable figure for the Dutch outfit to sanction a transfer for either of their defenders.

Who would you rather United sign?

Torres

Torres

Timber

Timber

Martinez

Martinez

He said: “Ajax are not selling both Lisandro and Timber – only one of them in case they will receive an incredible and big proposal.

“So, ‘big proposal’ means around €50m, €45-50m – and at the moment, there is no bid for €50m for Lisandro or Timber.”

TIF Thoughts on United’s options…

While a move for Timber seems off, Martinez could be targeted by Old Trafford executives as he would fit the bill of a left-footed centre-half, while he can also play left-back as well as a defensive midfielder.

However, with an asking price as high as €50m (£43m), perhaps they are best taking their money elsewhere and signing an arguably better player in Pau Torres, who United are thought to be ready to spend £42.5m on (as per Spanish reports via Sport Witness).

19-cap Spain international Torres has a ‘fabulous left-foot’ and is a ‘fantastic player’ according to BT Sport pundit and ex-United player Owen Hargreaves, and could be a better alternative considering Ajax are demanding a similar fee for their duo.

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