Rennes meet €12m release clause for target Man Utd want to replace Lindelof

Rennes look set to win the race to sign Real Valladolid centre-back Mohamed Salisu, claim reports.

Manchester United and Atletico Madrid were believed to be interested in the Ghanian defender earlier this year.

In February Spanish publication AS said United could test Valladolid’s resolve with a bid for Salisu when the transfer window opens again in the summer.

The centre-back had been earning rave reviews in LaLiga before the league was suspended, after progressing through the academy. And now Ligue 1 outfit Rennes have jumped to the head of the queue and are closing in on a €12m deal, according to Marca, who have also cited reports from France.

Atletico were keen to sign the player but they have only put €11m on the table, while Rennes have offered the €12m release clause in Salisu’s contract.

ESPN claim that no firm offer from the Premier League ever arrived for the 21-year-old, who has made 28 appearances this season and was called up by Ghana last year.

The same outlet though confirmed earlier this month that United had submitted an enquiry about the availability of Salisu after concerns emerged about Victor Lindelof’s form.

Lindelof has made 26 Premier League outings this term – and 35 overall – but according to ESPN, his performances and form have begun to raise questions from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

However, if Solskjaer is to grab himself a bargain he will have to move quickly to deny Rennes coach Julien Stéphan, who has put the defender’s signing at the top of his to-do list.