Manchester United are reportedly 'in talks' to sign Monaco defender Axel Disasi as Erik ten Hag tries to bolster his back line in the January transfer window.
The Red Devils are set to complete their first signing of the month when Jack Butland arrives from Crystal Palace on loan until the end of the season. United are in the market for a new goalkeeper after Martin Dubravka was recalled back to parent club Newcastle, and Butland has been lined-up as a prime target.
However, Daily Mail have reported that Ten Hag is now plotting a move for French centre-back Disasi as United turn their attention to a different area of the team. The 24-year-old was part of the France squad at the World Cup and has also been linked with a switch to West Ham and Tottenham.
It is understood initial negotiations have taken place with United, and Disasi is expected to leave Monaco either in January or in the summer transfer window. This is despite the sale of Benoit Badiashile, who completed his move to Chelsea in a big-money deal as the defender penned a seven-a-half-year contract at Stamford Bridge.
Disasi joined Monaco from Reims in 2020 and has been a key cog in the wheel at the Ligue 1 club, making 105 appearances, scoring seven goals in the process. The 6 ft 3 centre-back has been capped three times for France and started their 1-0 defeat against Tunisia in their third group stage game at the World Cup.
Meanwhile, United are supposedly not willing to let Harry Maguire leave Old Trafford in the current window despite being linked with a move for another defender. The 29-year-old started the Red Devils' 3-0 win over Bournemouth on Tuesday evening, having been named on the bench for the victories against Nottingham Forest and Wolves.
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Ex-Red Devils defender Rio Ferdinand believes Maguire should be allowed to depart United and get regular game time given the quality and experience he has. Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez has been Ten Hag's first-choice partnership in the centre of the Red Devils back line so far this season.
Speaking on BT Sport after United's win over Wolves on Saturday, Ferdinand said: 'It raised eyebrows when you saw Lindelof and Maguire on the bench - it shows what Ten Hag thinks of those two guys! If I'm Harry Maguire, I'm looking for a new club right now. He's faultless for England. At Man United, it hasn't worked out for him.
"This new manager is showing him he's not going to be one of the top two centre backs. I'd be telling my agent to go and find me a new club where i can play regularly and enjoy my football."
