Manchester United have reportedly cooled their interest in Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo, and have set their sights on bringing in a Bayern Munich star instead.
Centre-back is a key area of Erik ten Hag's squad that is expected to undergo significant changes this summer after a poor 2023-24 campaign.
Raphael Varane officially departed Old Trafford as a free agent at midnight last night and reports suggest the Frenchman is already in Italy, progressing toward a shock move to newly-promoted Serie A side Como.
Victor Lindelof, who is a target of Everton and Jose Mourinho's Fenerbahce, is also entering the final year of his contract at Old Trafford. Therefore, the club is likely to prioritise signing at least one, and possibly two, new centre-backs in this transfer window.
However, it seems that Araujo will not be the defensive option that the Red Devils go all-out for this summer.
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Man United eye Bayern star as Araujo alternative
According to Football Transfers, Man United have cooled their interest in signing Araujo this summer, despite their long-standing interest in the Barca defender.
Two years ago, Araujo signed a contract extension with Barcelona on terms beneficial to the club, aimed at aiding their financial difficulties.
It is understood that the agreement included an informal understanding that Araujo would receive a substantial pay increase in due course.
However, two years later, Barcelona remains unable to fulfil the pay rise Araujo merits. Consequently, speculation has arisen about the defender's potential willingness to depart Nou Camp this summer.
However, Football Espana report that Old Trafford will not be his destination, with the outlet claiming that the Red Devils have now prioritised the signing of Dutch international Matthijs de Ligt.
Man United's interest in the Bayern Munich centre-back dates back to his time at Ajax when he worked with Ten Hag and won the league and domestic cup title in 2018-19.
It is also understood that De Ligt is a favoured choice of Dan Ashworth, who was announced as Man United's new sporting director on Monday.
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Branthwaite still Red Devils' preferred defensive option?
While United are believed to have stepped up their efforts to sign De Ligt this summer, it is understood that Everton's Jarrad Branthwaite remains the club's primary target.
The Red Devils have reportedly made an opening bid of £43m (including add-ons) for the highly-rated centre-half, but the Toffees are unwilling to entertain any offers lower than their £70m valuation of the player.
United are expected to return with an improved offer in the coming days, and it will be interesting to see if they can strike a deal given the gap in the two team's valuations.
Should negotiations for the England international hit a complete dead-end, United may well return for Araujo later in the transfer window.
Branthwaite enjoyed a breakthrough season in 2023-24, featuring in 35 league matches for the Toffees, while also receiving his first cap for the Three Lions in March this year.
Devesh Jaganath
