Manchester United have prioritised Jurrien Timber as their defensive target and have also held talks with Portuguese defender David Carmo.
The Manchester Evening News understands although Ajax centre-back Timber is manager Erik ten Hag's preferred choice United have had two rounds of discussions with Braga centre half Carmo's representatives. Carmo is believed to be considered a fall-back option.
Timber, 20, is capable of playing at right-back as well as centre-back and United intend to strengthen both positions with Aaron Wan-Bissaka available for transfer.
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Carmo, 22, came close to joining Liverpool midway through last season during the club's defensive injury crisis in a €4million loan but the move collapsed.
A physically imposing, left-footed centre half, Carmo received his first call-up to the Portugal national squad last week.
The Manchester Evening News revealed last month United are still monitoring Villarreal defender Pau Torres, having considered a move for the Spain international last year. Torres, 25, helped Villarreal reach the Champions League semi-finals after last year's Europa League final triumph over United.
United held exploratory talks with Antonio Rudiger's representatives before he opted to join Real Madrid and Ten Hag has publicly championed Timber.
Timber said on Tuesday "the picture has to be right" and suggested he would consider his future when he goes on holiday after the Netherlands's Nations League commitments end on June 14.
“In the end, my gut feeling will be the deciding factor,” Timber said. The picture has to be right.
"You can go to a big club. But if you're not going to play there it's better to stay with Ajax. And Ajax is also a big club. We play football in the Champions League and I play there together with the best players in the Netherlands. That is not nothing.
"Of course, I can develop further [at Ajax]. I am 100 per cent sure of that. I don't feel like I'm done at the club. But I can also develop at other clubs.
“I am now focusing on the upcoming international matches and then go on holiday. Then I'll have to think about it some more."
Carmo scored in Braga's Europa League quarter-final defeat at Rangers and has enjoyed an impressive season after spending a year out with a serious ankle injury.
After years of reluctance, United are more receptive to dipping into the Portuguese market, having signed Victor Lindelof from Benfica in 2017, Diogo Dalot from Porto in 2018, and Bruno Fernandes from Sporting Lisbon in 2020. Jose Mourinho recommended Ruben Dias to United in 2018, two years before the Portugal international joined Manchester City.
Central defenders Eric Bailly, Phil Jones and Axel Tuanzebe could all leave United in the summer. United explored a possible swap deal involving Bailly and Torres last year.
