Transfer Gossip: Man Utd lead race for ‘first-choice’ defender target with four to leave; Liverpool dealt double free transfer blow by Mourinho

Youssouf Fofana and Axel Disasi

Manchester United are at the front of the queue for the player they want most in their search for defensive reinforcements, while a Liverpool target is now on Jose Mourinho’s radar at Roma – all in Monday’s transfer gossip.

MAN UTD WANT AXEL DISASI DEAL

Axel Disasi is the “first-choice” option for Man Utd in terms of adding a new defender to their squad in the summer, according to Football Insider.

And the same report has revealed that they are currently leading the race for the Monaco man, despite him also generating interest from Chelsea and Manchester City.

Man Utd have signed an upgrade in defence in each of the past two transfer windows. In 2021, they brought in Raphael Varane from Real Madrid, before adding Lisandro Martinez from Ajax in 2022.

This year, Disasi could be the man they pursue after scouts watched him in action several times. The 25-year-old has played 42 times in all competitions for Monaco so far this season.

Mainly a centre-half, Disasi can also feature at right-back, which is another position Man Utd have been looking to reinforce. This term, he has impressively (for a defender) contributed six goals and four assists.

But Monaco are considering the idea of selling him this summer, since his contract is only due to last until 2025. Next year, they might have to listen to cut-price offers, while the year after, they could lose him for free.

It is not yet clear how much they will demand for Disasi in the upcoming transfer window. But they know it might be their last chance to get the best fee possible for him.

Should Man Utd win the race to sign him, four of their existing centre-backs could leave, according to the report. At risk are Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof and Phil Jones, as well as Eric Bailly, who has been out on loan at Marseille this season.

It should help streamline Erik ten Hag’s squad as they look to make further progress in the manager’s second season in charge.

READ MORECrystal Palace tipped to battle Leeds for £50m Man Utd flop Ten Hag wants off the books

ROMA FOLLOW UP FIRMINO PURSUIT WITH MORE LIVERPOOL FRUSTRATION

Not only are Roma trying to appease Jose Mourinho by signing Liverpool’s Roberto Firmino, but they are also looking at a defender recently linked with the Reds.

Firmino is leaving Liverpool this summer after a successful spell with the club. When his contract expires, he will be able to sign for a new club without them having to pay a transfer fee.

A player of his pedigree will be able to keep his options open, but one of the clubs most frequently linked with Firmino since his Liverpool exit decision has been Roma.

The Serie A side are trying to keep Mourinho happy by adding to his squad with high-calibre players. And as well as Firmino, they are reportedly looking at another free transfer.

According to Corriere Dello Sport, Roma have turned their attention to Eintracht Frankfurt’s Evan Ndicka as an “ambitious target”.

Evan N'Dicka, Frankfurt defender, on the bench during Bundesliga game at Stadium Borussia Park

TEAMtalk was exclusively told in February that Ndicka is among Liverpool’s top defensive targets for the summer – and other sources have since echoed similar claims.

But they now face serious competition from Roma, who don’t have a left-footed centre-back in their squad and are looking to complete Mourinho’s backline.

Therefore, Liverpool could lose Firmino to Roma and then see the Italians take Ndicka instead of them too.

FABRIZIO ROMANO REVEALS LATEST MIDFIELDER ON CHELSEA SHORTLIST

Chelsea are monitoring Middlesbrough midfielder Finley Cartwright, it has been revealed by Fabrizio Romano.

There has been a significant focus on signing talents for the future at Chelsea over the past 12 months. Not only have they spent huge sums on first-team players, but they have also invested in options for their academy.

And the next young talent they can plot a pathway for is Cartwright, according to Romano.

Currently playing for Middlesbrough’s under-18s, the midfielder is one of several names Chelsea have supposedly shortlisted.

For the time being, that is all Romano has revealed. Cartwright, born in 2006, will have to continue his development with Middlesbrough as he looks ahead to his senior career.

Cartwright has represented England at under-16 level before. Only time will tell what he goes on to achieve in his career. But Chelsea have spotted something they like and could nurture.