Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has admitted that he could still sign a centre-back this summer, reports the Daily Mirror.
The Dutchman has bolstered his midfield this summer with the signings of Memphis Depay, Morgan Schneiderlin, and Bastian Schweinsteiger, but only Matteo Darmian has come in at the back, despite it being a problem are last season. Phil Jones, Chris Smalling, and Jonny Evans all looked error-prone during the last campaign, and it was only the brilliant form of David De Gea that stopped it from being a major issue.
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“We have three (right-sided) centre backs,” van Gaal said, “we have Smalling, Jones and McNair but if he is much better than them then it is possible. We go for the best players and it has to be possible.”
The Red Devils have been linked to several centre-backs this summer, including Real Madrid star Sergio Ramos. The 29-year-old is available for £58 million according to The Sun, which would be a world record fee for a defender.
If United aren’t willing to pay this, then there is also a chance they could get Valencia ace Nicolas Otamendi, who could be bought for the slightly cheaper £35 million [Metro].