Manchester United To Sign Star Defender Before Release Clause Is Active

Manchester United's search for a centre back could soon come to an end with speculation they're ready to make a move for the player, ahead of his summer release clause becoming active.

It might be a month since Jose Mourinho packed up all his clothes from the Lowry Hotel, picked up his extra large plate and said goodbye to the hotel's staff, but one of his biggest complaints at Manchester United remains a problem.

Of course lots has changed at Old Trafford since the former Real Madrid manager left following the embarrassing 3-1 defeat to fierce rivals Liverpool, mainly the results and the feel good factor at the club.

Players who weren't playing well under Mourinho, or not playing at all, have suddenly turned things around under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and almost everything is looking rosy or at very least rosier.

One problem remains though and that's at the back. Despite keeping clean sheets in their last two games, against Newcastle and Reading, the defence still looks a little suspect. Mourinho was desperate to sign a centre back last summer and it looks like now the club might act.

Spanish newspaper Marca report that Real Madrid will be free to sign Porto defender Eder Militao because United are close to signing Roma defender Kostas Manolas.

Manolas famously scored Roma's winner against Barcelona in the Champions League last season. Image: PA Images

According to the reports the Greek defender has a contract release clause that becomes active in the summer but the Metro report that United will make their move before then.

The 27 year old would be available for just £30.75 million in the summer, because of the clause in his contract, but that would likely entice other clubs to make a move for him.

20 year old Militao had been another potential target for the Premier League side but the thought in Spain is clearly that Real will be free to sign the Porto player with no competition.

Militao has attracted a lot of interest. Image: PA Images

After signing Diogo Dalot, Lee Grant and Fred early in the summer transfer window Mourinho and United were heavily linked with moves for a lot of defenders.

Toby Alderweireld, Harry Maguire and Yerry Mina were some of the strongest links but in the end they were left empty handed.

More recently Kalidou Koulibaly has been strongly linked with a move from Napoli.

Ryan Sidle

Ryan is a writer for SPORTbible. He covers all sport from football, formula one, cricket, rugby, tennis, athletics, mma and wrestling. He obviously hates YOUR football team and has no interest in synchronised swimming.

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