Manchester United view Chelsea star as alternative to 21-year-old transfer target: Reports
Manchester United are reportedly eyeing Chelsea star Levi Colwill as an alternative to Everton's Jarrad Branthwaite. The Red Devils also have Crystal Palace's Marc Guehi and Juventus' Gleison Bremer on the radar as they hunt for a defender.
As per a report in the Daily Express, Manchester United are ready to go all out to sign a defender this summer. They are looking to replace Raphael Varane, who has already announced his exit.
The Frenchman played his final match on Saturday and managed to win the FA Cup against Manchester City. The Red Devils are now eyeing Branthwaite, but the £80 million asking price is putting them off.
They see Colwill, who was injured towards the end of the 2023/24 season as the alternative. They are looking to tempt Chelsea into selling the defender despite knowing that he signed a new long-term deal last summer.
Former Chelsea youngster Guehi is also a target for Manchester United, while Bremer is also linked amid reports that he could leave Juventus this summer.
Manchester United told to aim higher than Jarrad Branthwaite by former player
Former Manchester United defender Jonathan Spector is not happy with his former side targetting Jarrad Branthwaite. He believes that the club need to spend better and eye a move for a defender with experience.
He suggested Bayern Munich defender Matthijs de Ligt while talking to BetUS and said:
"I haven't seen a lot of Jarrad, but in the games I've seen him play, he's done well. Yeah and no disrespect to Jarrad as he's a very good player, but I do think for a club like United they should be competing to bring in the best centre backs in the world and I don't think many players would put him in that category."
"De Ligt and those players are the type of players that they should be competing for and trying to bring in. The fact that they're not playing Champions League football is not going to help the case."
Spector added:
"Jarrad is only 21, so is he the player that is going to come in and fix that defence? Especially when I would view one of the issues as a lack of consistent leadership within the back line and the need to fill that, so I'm sure there are some other targets on there."
"Is Jarrad an up-and-coming, fantastic central defender? Yes, but at the same time I think they need a bit more of a finished product right now with a bit more of the leadership qualities. I think profile-wise, a player who is established and proven for a few years at the highest levels that has a bit more of the leadership qualities."
De Ligt also has his Bayern Munich future in the balance after losing his starting spot under Thomas Tuchel.