Manchester United set to bid for 8 centre-backs

Manchester United have reportedly drawn up a list of eight centre-backs they would like to target this summer ahead of the upcoming Premier League season. Jose Mourinho is not too pleased with the defensive options he has at his disposal.

The likes of Chris Smalling, Luke Shaw, Marcos Rojo and Victor Lindelof amongst others have flattered to deceive despite being given a number of opportunities and the Portuguese feels they are not good enough to help his side challenge for the title.

According to reports in Manchester Evening News, Mourinho has shortlisted as many as eight players he would like to make a move for. Raphael Varane, Jerome Boateng, Kalidou Koulibaly, Toby Alderweireld, Milan Skriniar, Alessio Romagnoli, Jose Gimenez, and Caglar Soyuncu form the eight-member shortlist.

The Red Devils are believed to be targeting defenders who are between the ages of 23 and 29, have some European football experience and are solid in the air as well as on the ground. 

United had reportedly made a bid for Skriniar a couple of weeks ago, but had their advances rebuffed as Inter were unwilling to sell. Romagnoli too was recently linked with a move to the Old Trafford club, with United ready to part with as much as £44m for the Italian, but that bid too was rejected outright by Milan.

Toby Alderweireld would be the perfect addition to Mourinho's side but Tottenham are unlikely to accept offers for one of the best defenders in the world at the moment. The same can be said for Raphael Varane who will find it hard to leave a side that have won three successive Champions League titles.

Caglar Soyuncu and Jerome Boateng seem to be the ones Mourinho could realistically target. Soyuncu made 26 appearances for Freiburg in the last Bundesliga campaign, and 24 in the one prior to that. He is considered one of the brightest young prospects in the Bundesliga.

Boateng, on the other hand, had a couple of great seasons with Bayern, but has faded away badly of late.