Forget Branthwaite: United should now sign £7m star turning heads in Italy, 91% passing accuracy

Manchester United could sign a new centre-back when the transfer window reopens this summer.

The Red Devils are preparing for a busy summer transfer window, and there could be plenty of changes to the squad.

From the defence point of view, Victor Lindelof and Jonny Evans could leave on free transfers at the expiry of their contracts.

Lisandro Martinez sustained a serious knee injury earlier this year. The Argentine may not return until the final quarter of 2025.

United need a marquee centre-back signing this summer, with manager Ruben Amorim set to stick with his 3-4-3 set-up.

The club have been linked with a fresh approach for Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite, who could be on the move later this year.

The Englishman was valued at £70 million by the Toffees last summer, and his price could be higher in the next transfer window.

United may not have funds to compete for his signature, particularly with interest from Liverpool and Manchester City.

In our view, the club are more likely to pursue a cheaper alternative. Udinese’s Oumar Solet would be a perfect signing.

The 25-year-old Frenchman signed for the Serie A outfit in January this year.

He has played a big role in their recent winning streak with several stand-out performances.

Solet is a right-footed centre-back who operates from the left hand side.

He has a passing accuracy of 91 percent in Serie A so far, winning 60 percent of his duels.

The former Lyon man has also made five recoveries, 3.6 clearances and won 1.7 tackles per outing.

Solet is a superb ball-playing centre-back and has completed almost two dribbles per game.

Oulet signed for Udinese on a free transfer last winter after terminating his contract with Red Bull Salzburg in September 2024.

He has a Transfermarkt value of just £7 million. We believe Udinese could be persuaded to sell him for around £25-30m over the summer.

The Red Devils must target a bargain deal for the talented Frenchman instead of contemplating a huge outlay on Everton’s Branthwaite.

Stats from Transfermarkt.com & Sofascore.com

Article written by Sri Aswin .