Man Utd stimulated in the pursuit of transfer for Kalidou Koulibaly alternative

Manchester United are hoping that central defender Benfica Ruben Dias will be a cheaper alternative to Kalidou Koulibaly.

Information in Portugal claims that United would have been encouraged by Benfica's failure to increase the release clause in the Dias contract.

Napoli's central Koulibaly back has long been tied to United, but the defender's price could rise to £ 105m. The leader of the Red Devils, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, will have to pay to spend in the whole group.

Dias has been observed several times by United Scouts. With a release clause of 60 million euros, it would cost about half the price of Koulibaly.

The 22-year-old, who has been selected nine times by Portugal, is also in line with Solskjaer's vision of recruiting young players to build a more prosperous future for Old Trafford.

Portuguese media A Bola announced that Benfica was planning to bring the Dias release clause to 100 million euros.

But the fact that they have not yet done so gives United a chance to leap.

Solskjaer needs a new central partner for Victor Lindelof, who hopes to make United a real competitor at home and in Europe.

United in arm wrestling for Joao Felix

United is also involved in a showdown with Real Madrid and local rivals Manchester City for Portuguese striker Joao Felix.

The two Premier League clubs will have scouts in front of Benfica's teenager, Felix, in the Portuguese Nations League semi-final against Switzerland in Porto on Wednesday night.

United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is aiming for the last sensation of the Portuguese footballer and begins rebuilding his team after a disappointing season.

But he faces fierce competition from Real, who is desperately trying to conquer the teenager Benfica, City and the Italian giants Juventus.

Benfica wants about 120 million pounds sterling and Real has already seen an offer of purchase of about 80 million pounds rejected.

But they should now use Benfica's interest in goalkeeper Keylor Navas to try to win a contract next week after the final.

Felix, 19, has scored 18 goals in 33 games for Benfica this season and became the youngest player to score a hat-trick in the Europa League since Sergio Aguero, who scored three goals against Eintracht Frankfurt in April.

The teenager is about to make his debut in Portugal against the Swiss in Porto after being summoned to the final by his coach Fernando Santos.