Manchester United are prepared to pay £240,000 per week to sign Manuel Akanji - according to reports.
Speculation over the Borussia Dortmund player and his future with the Bundesliga team remains at fever pitch and the Swiss is out of contract in 2023. As things stand no agreement has been reached and this summer would be the last chance for Dortmund to cash in.
United settled on Raphael Varane as a long-term partner for Harry Maguire last summer.
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However, after watching their £80million captain struggle for form throughout the campaign, key figures in the Old Trafford boardroom have been linked with further moves at centre-back. Akanji has emerged as one potential target in that regard.
According to German publication BILD, the defender has been offered €8million per year to stay at Dortmund. With the Premier League giants lurking, though, the same report suggests United would be willing to put together a deal worth around €15million to land Akanji.
With less than 18 months left to run on his contract, a fee around the £21million-mark has been mooted.
Elsewhere, rumoured target Franck Kessie has reportedly 'agreed' to sign for Barcelona this summer.
There has been no official confirmation regarding the Ivory Coast midfielder, but Gerard Romero suggests the player could be heading to the Nou Camp when his contract expires. United are set to prioritise central midfield when they get down to business at the end of this season.
Manchester Evening News understands England international Declan Rice is still target number one there.
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That's despite concerns West Ham might dig their heels in over a valuation. United might be forced into completing a second signing in that position if Paul Pogba decides to move on. A decade on from leaving for Juventus, Pogba is expected to depart on a free transfer for the second time.
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