MANCHESTER UNITED will have to contend with a “mammoth” price tag if they are to convince Giorgio Scalvini to join them, according to reports.
The 20-year-old centre-back has become a key part of Atalanta’s backline and has already been capped seven times by the Italian national team.
Scalvini has seven caps for Italy[/caption]Calcio Mercato report that it will take £51million for United to sign the Italian youngster this January.
Atalanta are in a strong position to hold on to the defender, with him being contracted at the club until 2028.
The right offer could tempt Atalanta, however, and they have already done business with United this season.
United paid the club £72m for the signature of Rasmus Hojlund in the summer, which hasn’t totally worked out so far.
The forward has just one Premier League goal from his 15 games played for the Red Devils but did manage five goals in United’s six Champions League games.
United are keen to bolster their defence in January, with Raphael Varane linked with a move to the Saudi League.
Both Al-Ittihad and Al-Nassr are keen on signing the World Cup winning defender.
The Frenchman has gone from United’s first-choice centre-back to fourth, with Harry Maguirre and Jonny Evans coming in from the cold to emerge as the first-choice pairing.
Scalvini is Atalanta’s key defender[/caption]CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS
Victor Lindelof has also moved ahead of Varane, and seen his contract extended as a result of his performances this season.
An alternative to Scalvini for United could be Nice defender Jean-Clair Todibo.
The Red Devils faced competition from Tottenham for the Frenchman’s signature but Spurs have ended their pursuit of him in favour of Radu Dragusin.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe‘s ownership of Nice should make a deal easier to do for United but they do also face competition from Chelsea.
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