Michael Carrick wants to sign a new centre-back in the summer transfer window amid concerns over the futures of Lisandro Martinez and Matthijs de Ligt, who have both struggled with injuries.
Michael Carrick writing a shopping list (Image: Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images)
Manchester United are considering a £35m bid for Borussia Dortmund defender Valdemar Anton. United manager Michael Carrick is keen to sign a new centre-back this summer and has sent scouts to monitor Anton’s progress.
Big questions remain over the immediate future of United duo Lisandro Martinez and Matthijs de Ligt. Both players have been sidelined with serious injuries and United are concerned about the poor fitness of both defenders.
World Cup winner Martinez made just 19 appearances in all competitions last season. Meanwhile, De Ligt has been out of action since November due to a serious back problem that required surgery.
United could turn their attention to Anton and make him one of their summer signings. Anton joined Dortmund from Stuttgart in 2024 for a fee of £18 million and established himself as one of the Bundesliga’s best defenders.
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He made his international debut in 2024 and won 12 caps. Anton helped Germany qualify for the World Cup and is part of coach Julian Nagelsmann’s squad for the next tournament.
United know a deal is unlikely to be finalized before the tournament begins, meaning a successful North American World Cup campaign could increase the 29-year-old’s value. Germany, which was eliminated in the group stage of the 2022 tournament, was placed in Group E along with Curaçao, Ivory Coast and Ecuador.
Anton has stiff competition from centre-backs such as Real Madrid star Antonio Rudiger, Bayern Munich’s Jonathan Tarr, Dortmund team-mate Nico Schlotterbeck and Newcastle defender Malik Thiau. Anton is under contract with Dortmund until 2028, but has long-held ambitions to play in the Premier League.
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Valdemar Anton did well for Borussia Dortmund (Image: Max Maiwald/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty Images)
United are also targeting at least two midfielders in the summer transfer window. The Red Devils are close to reaching an agreement with Atalanta for Ederson, who could replace the departed Casemiro in midfield.
Nottingham Forest star Elliott Anderson is on United’s shortlist but is understood to be leaning towards a move to rivals Manchester City. Other targets include Matheus Fernandes, Sandro Tonali and Aurelien Choameni.
United are also keen to sign a left-back, with Newcastle’s Lewis Hall rumored to be a move. An experienced forward is also someone to keep an eye on, but things could be complicated by Marcus Rashford’s return from his loan spell at Barcelona.
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