Manchester United have reportedly formulated a transfer plan for their pursuit of 18-year-old Boca Juniors defender Aaron Anselmino.
The 2005-born starlet was officially promoted to the Boca Juniors first team in January, although he had already made five senior appearances for the Argentinian giants in 2023.
Since the start of March, Anselmino has turned out on another two occasions for Boca Juniors, coming off the bench in a 4-2 Copa de la Liga success over Racing Club and slotting into the number six role.
Last Saturday, the 18-year-old - who turns 19 next month - also completed the full 90 minutes in a Copa Argentina success over Central Norte, playing in his preferred centre-back role on that occasion.
Boca Juniors are under no pressure to part ways with Anselmino, whose contract does not expire until New Year's Eve 2028, but top European clubs are now believed to be circling.
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Loan move touted for teenager
According to Italian outlet Tuttosport, Man United have a strategy in mind to win the race for Anselmino, who is also wanted by Portuguese giants Benfica and Premier League rivals Everton.
The report adds that the Red Devils are willing to pay £15m to bring the defender to Old Trafford, although he would not be integrated into the first team straight away.
Instead, Man United allegedly intend to loan Anselmino out to Ligue 1 side Nice, who are also under the control of minority stakeholder Sir Jim Ratcliffe, even though the INEOS chief supposedly has no interest in making Les Aiglons a sister club of the Red Devils.
Nevertheless, the Allianz Riviera could be an ideal place for Anselmino to continue his development in Europe should another highly-rated centre-back - Jean-Clair Todibo - depart Nice amid interest from Man United.
Furthermore, the French outfit must also start planning for life after captain Dante, now 40 years of age and out of contract this summer, so Anselmino could expect regular game time at Nice in 2024-25.
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What other defenders are Man United targeting?
In terms of central defenders, only Lisandro Martinez and maybe Willy Kambwala are guaranteed to still be donning the Red Devils jersey next season, with as many as four other centre-backs facing uncertain futures.
Raphael Varane and Jonny Evans are about to enter the last three months of their deals, while Victor Lindelof and Harry Maguire have been linked with exits for some time - West Ham United are apparently set to reignite their interest in the latter.
As well as Nice jewel Todibo, Man United are thought to be one of the many admirers of Lille's Leny Yoro - another teenager making waves in senior football - and Barcelona's Pau Cubarsi falls into the same category.
More experienced options include Juventus' Bremer, whom they are apparently preparing to step up their interest in, Everton's Jarrad Branthwaite and Bayern Munich's Matthijs de Ligt, although the latter recently reaffirmed his commitment to the Bavarians.
Erik ten Hag's troops sit sixth in the Premier League table and are back in action against Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium on Saturday evening.
Ben Knapton
