Report: Varane headlines Manchester United's list of defensive targets
Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is eager to add a center-back who can form a long-term partnership with captain Harry Maguire, according to ESPN FC's Rob Dawson.
Headlining his list of summer candidates is Real Madrid center-back Raphael Varane, whose future in the Spanish capital is uncertain as he approaches the final year of his contract, Dawson adds.
Varane - a World Cup winner with France in 2018 - has made over 200 appearances for Los Blancos since his arrival in 2011.
Sevilla's promising young French defender Jules Kounde, Aston Villa's Tyrone Mings, and David Carmo of Braga are also on United's radar, according to Dawson.
Kounde, 22, was previously a reported target of Manchester City, while Carmo, 21, was linked with a move to Liverpool that fell through in January.
United are reportedly close to giving up hope on RB Leipzig center-back Dayot Upamecano, who club officials believe would pass up on a chance to move to Old Trafford in favor of joining Bayern Munich.
Solskjaer has insisted he will spend wisely amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic despite being promised an injection of money to improve the team this summer.
Solskjaer's plan to spend wisely might go out the window if United launch another lucrative bid to sign Borussia Dortmund star Jadon Sancho. The Red Devils appeared close to completing a move for the English winger last summer, but a deal wasn't reached due to the club's unwillingness to match Dortmund's €120-million valuation.
United have conceded the second-most goals among teams in the top half of the Premier League table.