Manchester United are set to make their first bid for Real Madrid defender Sergio Reguilon, according to reports.
The club have been linked with a move for the 23-year-old Spanish left-back who spent last season on loan with La Liga team Sevilla. He impressed enough to earn a cap for the Spanish national team and has attracted attention from clubs across Europe.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is keen to land the defender as back-up for the inconsistent Luke Shaw and youngster Brandon Williams, and United have made just one signing so far this transfer window in the form of Donny van de Beek, signed from Ajax.
The 23-year-old midfielder cost £35.7 million which means that United should have the funds to make further transfers. Alexis Sanchez left to join Inter Milan on a permanent deal, and Chris Smalling is set to complete a move to Roma before the end of the current transfer window. Phil Jones, Marcos Rojo, Andreas Pereira, Diogo Dalot and Jesse Lingard could also all be sold.
The Guardian claims that United will soon make an opening offer for Reguilon, but their valuation falls short of Real’s £27.2 million asking price. The paper reports that as the player is keen on a switch to Old Trafford, they will hope to negotiate a lower fee. However, the Spanish club may also wish to insert a buyback clause in any deal, which is a further obstacle to any agreement being reached. United are unwilling to countenance such a stipulation.
United boss Solskjaer is keen on further signings, with the club having pursued Jadon Sancho of Borussia Dortmund for much of the transfer window without coming close to matching the demands of the German club for the 20-year-old England international. Instead they have turned their attention to players who are available on loan deals, with Inter Milan winger Ivan Persisic, Real Madrid’s Gareth Bale, and Juventus wide player Douglas Costa all mentioned as potential targets.