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5 defenders Man Utd could target to replace Raphael Varane

One of Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s first tasks in managing Manchester United in the transfer window will be to find a replacement for Raphael Varane.

Heading into the final round of the 2023/24 season, United have confirmed that Varane will leave for pastures new this summer after three years at Old Trafford.

His time in Manchester did not go well, with the Frenchman failing to replicate the great success he enjoyed during his time with Real Madrid, but United cannot afford to waste time wondering what went wrong.

The Red Devils are set for a third summer rebuild in as many years and were expected to pursue a new defender even before Varane’s exit was confirmed.

Raphael Varane

Man Utd will need to replace Varane / Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/GettyImages

How many defenders end up following Varane through the exit door remains to be seen. Jonny Evans’ contract is up this summer, and there have long been questions about the futures of Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof at the club. Even young Willy Kambwala could see the loan deal as the best step in his budding career.

Clearly, recruiting at least one central midfielder is of utmost importance to Ratcliffe and INEOS, who are poised to make a big statement in their first transfer window.

So, with that in mind, here are five defenders United could be looking at this summer.

Jonathan Tah

Tah could leave Leverkusen this summer / Stefan Matzke – sampics/GettyImages

Jonathan Tah has been a key part of Bayer Leverkusen’s Bundesliga success this year and, after nine years with the club, he may see this summer as the natural end to his stay with Xabi Alonso’s side.

The 28-year-old has enjoyed a sensational campaign but could be available for a fee of around £17m, with reports pointing to a release clause as he enters the final 12 months of his contract.

That is clearly an advantage for a player of Tah’s caliber, even if he is not the star most fans would hope to see walk through the door at Old Trafford this summer.

Bayer Leverkusen wants to give him a new contract, but they have publicly said that they will sell Tah if he does not sign before the start of next season. This one feels possible, and with that kind of money, there could be room for another new face in the back.

Antonio Silva

Silva is one of the best young defenders in Europe / Gualter Fatia/GettyImages

Benfica’s 20-year-old defender Antonio Silva is widely regarded as one of the best young defenders in the world, and that is reflected in his prices.

Benfica do not want to lose the youngster and have been targeting representatives for the £86m release clause in his contract. United would need to sell players to finance such a deal but could try to negotiate with Benfica which would allow them to spread the money over a number of years. Reports even suggest that the Portuguese side will be ready to do business for close to £70m.

That’s a huge sum of money, but one that United may have no choice but to pay if they really want to make a statement under Ratcliffe and INEOS.

The likes of Chelsea, Liverpool and Bayern Munich are all said to be interested in Silva, which could spark a bidding war.

Ronald Araujo

Araujo will be a big signing / Alex Caparros/GettyImages

United have long been interested in Ronald Araujo from afar but are well aware of the biggest stumbling block in the deal – how much do they really want to join him?

Barcelona have paid a lot of public praise to Araujo but, with their major financial problems still evident, they could be tempted to part with the 25-year-old Uruguay international, who remains one of the club’s most valuable assets.

Having learned their lesson in their pursuit of Frenkie de Jong, United do not want to spend the entire summer trying to convince someone to join them. Either they want to move to Old Trafford or they don’t, it’s that simple. As a result, this one may have to be revived by Araujo, who is entering the final two years of his contract.

If Araujo hits the market, expect strong opposition to his signing. He was arguably the best defender in the world last year, and despite a setback this year, he still has an incredibly high reputation.

Tosin Adarabioyo

Tosin can be profitable / Alex Davidson/GettyImages

There are many great names available at United this summer, but few would be as effective for the Red Devils as Tosin Adarabioyo.

What you get from Tosin, who will leave Fulham as a free agent, is a guarantee of success in the Premier League. He has made almost 100 appearances for England’s top team and 200 in total in his senior career and will need no time to adapt to the way things work in the Premier League.

Tosin, who came through Manchester City’s academy, ranks as a homegrown player when it comes to the club’s roster, making him a key asset for United as they look to bolster their dressing room with top talent from around the world.

There is a lot of competition for Tosin’s signing for exactly those reasons. This is a benefit that may allow larger funds to be spent elsewhere. If United are looking for a big-money midfielder, winger or striker, this is the type of move they need to make.

Leny Yoro

Yoro is seen as a star of tomorrow / ANP/GettyImages

Leny Yoro appeared set to join Real Madrid, who saw the 18-year-old as their next Varane, but those links have cooled in recent weeks and United need to do everything they can to get him to the negotiating table.

Yoro remains a clear star in Lille’s defense and is expected to go on to great things, but finds himself at a crucial crossroads in his career as he enters the final 12 months of his contract.

Reports claim that Lille want the better part of £100m to sell Yoro but that price is likely to be negotiated due to the risk of losing the youngster on a free next year. Lille’s business model is focused on making one big sale every year, so they can’t afford Yoro to leave. Something will have to give.

Yoro’s career could easily follow the same path as Varane, who joined Madrid at the age of 18 and went undiscovered for the next decade as he blossomed into stardom. If United want him, this could be their only chance for the next decade.

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