Man Utd in ‘pole position’ to beat Chelsea, City to sign £40m ‘top target’ after Erik ten Hag demand

Man Utd are reportedly considered to be the team in ‘pole position’ in the race to sign Chelsea and Man City target Axel Disasi from AS Monaco.

are short of options in defence at the moment as Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane have both picked up injuries.

Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof started over the weekend as United beat Nottm Forest 2-0 but both players are being linked with moves elsewhere as they have barely featured under Erik ten Hag this season.

Man Utd will look to sign a new striker in the summer, with Tottenham’s Harry Kane and Napoli’s Victor Osimhen among their targets.

But they are also likely to recruit a new defender to ensure Ten Hag has more viable options at his disposal in that area of the pitch.

Disasi has emerged as a potential target in recent weeks.

The 25-year-old has been one of the standout defenders in Ligue 1 this term and he has broken into the France squad. He is arguably at his best as a centre-back but he is also capable of playing at right-back when necessary.

A fresh report from Football Insider claims Man Utd are ‘in pole position’ in the battle to sign Disasi.

Chelsea and Manchester City have also ‘registered their interest’ in the defender but United are the ‘favourites’ to sign him. The report adds.

‘Defensive reinforcements could be crucial for Erik ten Hag, and Monaco centre-back Axel Disasi has emerged as a top target.

‘The 25-year-old is into the final two years of his contract and Monaco are open to selling him if their £40million valuation is met.

‘United have sent scouts to watch Disasi multiple times this season and reports have come back positive, with the French international considered a star with huge potential.

‘Disasi has risen to the top of United’s shopping list this summer, with Napoli’s Kim Min-Jae the other defender on the club’s radar.

‘A marquee striker remains a top priority for the club, but a new centre-back is also being emphasised by Ten Hag.’

A separate report from Fabrizio Romano offers a different take on Man Utd’s pursuit of Disasi.

The respected transfer guru claims United’s interest in Disasi has not advanced further than just ‘sending scouts to follow’ him.

‘I’m not aware of Chelsea interest in Axel Disasi, I’m told there’s nothing concrete at this stage,’ Romano wrote for Caught Offside.

‘Manchester United have been linked as they sent their scouts to follow Disasi but nothing else at this stage.

‘The player’s price tag will be decided by the new Monaco director; so we have to wait until that appointment is made to find out more.’