Man Utd 'set sights' on versatile £25m defender with 54 Premier League appearances

Manchester United are determined to strengthen their defensive options this summer after a torrid league campaign which was marred by various centre back injuries.

Last season, Erik Ten Hag was forced to play without various key players, with the likes of Lisandro Martinez, Harry Maguire and the now departed Raphael Varane all missing large stages of the campaign.

These injuries resulted in the Red Devils falling to an eighth place finish - their lowest in 34 years - an incredible 15 points less than the figure they managed in Ten Hag’s first term in charge.

With Manchester United new owners searching for new recruits it is claimed by The Metro that they will turn their attention to Chelsea ace Trevoh Chalobah, who has been linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge this summer. Chalobah is a product of the Stamford Bridge academy who is capable of playing in various positions across the defence including centre back, left back, right back and on occasion even as a holding midfielder.

The 24-year-old’s versatility and consistency made him a key part of Thomas Tuchel’s plans in West London, but under Maurcio Pochettino last term it was a very different story and due to a combination of injuries and competition for places, he managed just 13 league appearances.

Incoming boss Enzo Marseca is hoping to make his mark on Stamford Bridge and it is understood that Chalobah could be sold to help the club meet profit and sustainability rules as the Italian looks to replace him with his own signings.

Metro claims that Chelsea want up to £25m for the academy graduate, who could prove to be a beneficial signing as Manchester United prepare for a busy campaign which will see them return to the Europa League in a new more straining format which sees them play eight group stage games instead of six.

The news of interest in Chalobah follows reports from The Mirror which claim Everton have priced the Red Devils out of a move for priority centre back target Jarrad Brantwaite.

The report explains that Everton want more than double the £40m that Man Utd are willing to pay for the 21-year-old after his exceptional breakout campaign.