Two back-to-back clean sheets haven’t disguised Manchester United’s desperate need to bring in a centre-back in January.
With the stellar Swede Victor Lindelöf – far and away the most reliable defender manager Jose Mourinho had at his disposable – unfortunately expected to be out until the New Year after sustaining an injury in their last league match against Crystal Palace, the incentive to sign to improve the backline hasn’t been greater this year.
Options Chris Smalling, Phil Jones, Marcos Rojo, and Eric Bailly have failed to prove their reliability, either falling out of favour with the Portuguese or maligned by the Old Trafford faithful.
There is however an exciting new name being brought into the mix with the young defender Éder Militão arriving on the Red Devil radar. Currently playing at Mourinho’s former side Primeira Liga champions FC Porto after being bought from São Paulo in the summer, Militão has thus far impressed in his debut season in European football.
Mourinho’s previous club was also port of call in the summer, in acquiring right-back Diogo Dalot, a minor highlight in a barren transfer window.
Unlike Dalot however, Militão is privileged to regular first-team football with the Dragões, starter in both the league and the Champions League group stage games. The Brazilian has made 13 appearances so far this season, helping Porto maintain the best defensive record in the Liga NOS.
The Daily Record suggests that the fee required will be a substantial rise on the €4million Porto originally paid, with a clause also in the contract enabling São Paulo to claim 10% of further transfers for Éder Militão.
Napoli’s Kalidou Koulibaly also remains of interest to Manchester United, but it’s clear that ‘K2’ would cost a considerable amount more, with speculation that the Senegalese could be the first £100million defender.