Manchester United ‘hold two rounds of talks with Braga defender David Carmo – with the former Liverpool target lined up in case Erik ten Hag fails to sign Jurrien Timber from Ajax’
- Manchester United place Jurrien Timber at the top of their transfer wish list
- United have held two rounds of talks with Braga defender David Carmo
- Timber signing could spell the end for £50 million right-back Aaron Wan Bissaka
Manchester United are closely monitoring defender Jurrien Timber and have made the Ajax star their priority in the summer transfer window despite having held two rounds of talks with Braga centre-back David Carmo.
United are in the market for defensive reinforcements and the Manchester Evening News report that Timber is Erik ten Hag’s preferred choice to bolster the club’s leaky backline.
The club have also held talks with Braga’s 22-year-old Portuguese centre-back, David Carmo who is viewed as a back-up option, should they fail to land Timber this summer.
David Carmo rises highest to scored for Braga against Rangers at Ibrox in April
Ajax defender Jurrien Timber is high on Erik ten Hag’s shopping list this summer
Timber, 20, is a versatile defender who can operate at both centre-back and as a right full-back – two positions Ten Hag want to strengthen before the start of the season in August.
The addition of Timber could spell the end for Aaron Wan Bissaka after just three years at Old Trafford following a £50 million move from Crystal Palace.
Ten Hag is believed to be willing to let Wan Bissaka move on as the Dutchman does not see the full-back as being part of his plans.
Carmo, was a transfer target for Liverpool last season and nearly made the switch to Anfield during the clubs defensive injury crisis before the deal eventually collapsed.
The Braga defender helped his side to a fourth-placed finish in the Portuguese top flight and qualification for next season’s Europa League.
The left-sided centre-back topped off a superb season by earning a call-up to the Portugal squad for the upcoming Nations League fixtures.
Ten Hag is getting to work on bolstering United’s defence ahead of his first season as boss
United are still keeping tabs on Villarreal’s highly-rated defender Pau Torres who starred in the Yellow Submarines’ Europa League Final victory over United in 2021 and the club’s run to this season’s Champions League semi-final.
But it is Timber who sits at the top of Ten Hag’s shopping list despite the defender stating that he would discuss his future after he has finished his international duties with the Netherlands on June 14.
The Dutch defender appeared coy on his future whilst only entertaining a move away from Ajax if he is assured of game time.
‘In the end, my gut feeling will be the deciding factor,’ Timber said. The picture has to be right.
‘You can go to a big club. But if you’re not going to play there it’s better to stay with Ajax. And Ajax is also a big club. We play football in the Champions League and I play there together with the best players in the Netherlands. That is not nothing.
Aaron Wan Bissaka’s days at United could be numbered under new manager Erik ten Hag
‘Of course, I can develop further [at Ajax]. I am 100 per cent sure of that. I don’t feel like I’m done at the club. But I can also develop at other clubs.
‘I am now focusing on the upcoming international matches and then go on holiday. Then I’ll have to think about it some more.’
‘You can go to a big club. But if you’re not going to play there it’s better to stay with Ajax. And Ajax is also a big club. We play football in the Champions League and I play there together with the best players in the Netherlands. That is not nothing.
‘Of course, I can develop further [at Ajax]. I am 100 per cent sure of that. I don’t feel like I’m done at the club. But I can also develop at other clubs.
‘I am now focusing on the upcoming international matches and then go on holiday. Then I’ll have to think about it some more.’
