Fabrizio Romano reveals Man Utd’s four-man centre back shortlist

Fabrizio Romano has revealed Man Utd’s four-man shortlist for the centre of defence for the summer transfer market.

Juventus star Gleison Bremer, Nice’s Jean-Clair Todibo, Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite and Benfica’s Antonio Silva are all on the list according to Romano, who says that United will sign at least one central defender and possibly two this summer.

What did Romano say?

“With Man United, we know they have an injury crisis in defence, meaning Harry Maguire is their only fit centre-back option for today’s game against Coventry City in the FA Cup semi-final,” Romano said on CaughtOffside.

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“They’ve been very unlucky because they didn’t make a top centre-back signing last summer as they had five options in that position – Maguire, and also Raphael Varane, Lisandro Martinez, Victor Lindelof and Jonny Evans.

“Of course they will be signing a new centre-back this summer, as I’ve reported since September 2023, for sure that will be one of their priorities. But in terms of names, the top target will be decided later.

“The likes of Gleison Bremer, Jean-Clair Todibo, Jarrad Branthwaite and Antonio Silva have been scouted, and it could even be that they’ll make two signings in that position, but it’s too early now to know which specific players they’ll prioritise.”

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Raphael Varane and Jonny Evans’ contracts expire at the end of the season and will be released on free transfers.

Meanwhile, the futures of Victor Lindelof and Harry Maguire are very much in doubt.

This means that United will need to move in the market to improve a defence that has shipped far too many goals this season.