Manchester United only want a short term loan deal to cover the injury to Luke Shaw.
Talks are accelerating over a potential move with Barcelona’s Marcos Alonso, Marc Cucurella of Chelsea and Lyon’s Nicolas Tagliafico top of their list while others such as Tottenham’s Sergio Reguilon have been offered or sounded out.
United have a restricted budget but want a full-back who can fit into Erik ten Hag’s style immediately.
Cucurella and Alonso have Premier League pedigree while Tagliafico, an Argentina international, is well known to the Dutch coach having worked with him at Ajax and has been considered by United’s scouting team previously.
Manchester United have targeted Nico Tagliafico to provide short term cover at left back
Tagliafico was a key part of Erik ten Hag’s successful Ajax team over five seasons at the club
Marc Cucurella is among the options included on Manchester United’s left back shortlist
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Barcelona could be open to letting Alonso go on the short term as it allows them more financial room to register other new signings such as Joao Cancelo from Manchester City.
Chelsea are open to offers for Cucurella but also have other clubs such as West Ham, Dortmund and Burnley showing interest in their other left-back Ian Maatsen, who has yet to commit to a new contract.
Tagliafico is playing regularly for Lyon so the French side would want a loan with obligation to buy at least.
The 30-year old, who cost Lyon just £3.5m last summer, was part of Argentina’s World Cup winning team with United’s Lisandro Martinez and has been praised in the past by Ten Hag for his character and professionalism.
United want to have a deal wrapped up before Friday.
They are close to agreeing the sale of goalkeeper Dean Henderson to Crystal Palace and will then bring in Fenerbahce’s Altay Bayindir for £4.3m.
United remain restricted by Financial Fair play over what they can bring in so need to sell the likes of Donny van de Beek and Eric Bailly before moving on midfield targets.
