Man Utd transfers: Fabrizio Romano names former Barcelona star Ten Hag could pursue if disastrous double miss is confirmed
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has suggested Manchester United will go after a player who used to represent Barcelona if they miss out on defensive targets Kim Min-jae and Axel Disasi.
Kim has been heavily linked with Man Utd in recent months and was expected to swap Napoli for the Old Trafford club this summer. Indeed, there were even claims that it was a ‘done deal’ between Man Utd and Napoli.
However, on Thursday Bayern joined the hunt for the centre-back. And over the weekend, Romano revealed how talks between Bayern and Napoli had reached a very advanced stage. The journalist added that ‘unless other clubs send [a] new, bigger salary proposal next week, Kim will join Bayern’.
Man Utd are currently deciding whether to send an improved contract offer to Kim. But as things stand, it looks like the South Korean will be playing in the Bundesliga next term.
Writing on Twitter, Romano has named Man Utd’s backup options in case Kim does join Bayern. Monaco star Disasi is a ‘concrete name’ Man Utd’s list of centre-half targets.
This makes sense as the Red Devils have already been in contact with Disasi’s entourage over a potential switch to the Premier League.
Plus, the four-cap France international would love to make such a move at this point in his career. While he has great respect for Monaco, he views Man Utd as a real step up.
But Man Utd recruitment chiefs are aware that Disasi is highly thought of around Europe. As such, they might have to deal with another late hijack in their move for the Ligue 1 man.
Man Utd have third name on centre-back target list
Man Utd are prepared for this eventuality though, as Romano has named Nice defender Jean-Clair Todibo as another defender Erik ten Hag may look to bring in.
Man Utd have sent scouts to watch Todibo ‘multiple times’ and therefore know quite a lot about his style of play. They will likely submit an offer for the 23-year-old if both Kim and Disasi head to other teams.
Todibo came through the Toulouse academy before signing for Barcelona in January 2019. While on Barca’s books, he made five first-team appearances but also had loan spells at Schalke, Benfica and Nice.
In July 2021, Nice made Todibo’s loan spell permanent by paying Barca an initial €8.5m (£7m), though the deal had the potential to rise to €15.5m (£13m) through add-ons.
While the player did not make a huge impact at the Nou Camp, he has emerged into an important star for Nice. In the 2022-23 season, Todibo made 46 appearances across all competitions, including 34 in the league.
Todibo’s impressive displays saw him earn his first call up to the French national team in March, although he is still waiting to make his debut.
Todibo’s Nice contract runs until June 2027, while transfermarkt put his value at €30m (£25.5m).
