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Manchester United will have to break its record of transfers for a defender twice this summer in order to reach the main targets of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
The Norwegian wants to turn his defense with the signatures of Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Harry Maguire, at a cost of about 130 million pounds.
And United's success in attracting the couple to Old Trafford will test Ed Woodward's determination to support the summer revamp of Solskjaer.
Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp were able to convince their respective teams in Manchester City and Liverpool to pay a record fee for defensive reinforcements, which has paved the way for the success of both clubs in the past two seasons.
Now, Solskjaer wants Woodward to take the same act of faith with two players who, in his opinion, will be decisive for his reconstruction.
City spent about 100 million pounds against Kyle Walker and Benjamin Mendy two summers ago, while Virgil van Dijk became the most expensive defender in history when Liverpool made him sign an order £ 75 million in Southampton last January.
Walker played a key role in City's consecutive victories in the Premier League – and in the five national trophies won during his stint at Etihad.
And Van Dijk was the cornerstone of the Liverpool Champions League winning team – named PFA Player of the Year and installed as favorite to win the Golden Ball.
Woodward is ready to invest heavily in United's rearguard, especially after seeing the impact of Van Dijk on Klopp's team.
There were sad looks towards Anfield, with the feeling within United's hierarchy that the Dutch turned out to be a good deal – despite his record fees.
They do not think that Van Dijk's move to Southampton marked a turning point in terms of transfer fees for defenders – instead identifying the fact that the city paid almost 50 million pounds sterling paid for Walker.
In any case, both agreements have a considerable influence on Solskjaer's projects this summer.
An offer of around £ 35m – rising to £ 40m with add-ons – for Wan-Bissaka was rejected by Crystal Palace, which holds up to £ 60m for the first time. England, under 21 years old.
United is about to come back with an improved offer of nearly £ 50 million, which it will expect, which will make the right the most expensive defender in its history.
And if they are more interested in Maguire – because of their conviction, Matthijs de Ligt is linked to Barcelona – this record will be broken again.
Leicester estimates that the city center reaches 90 million pounds, but it would be difficult to refuse an offer of 80 million pounds sterling.
Kalidou Koulibaly from Naples would cost a similar amount.
City also wants to sign Maguire to replace the late Vincent Kompany – but after being stopped at Van Dijk's expense, the price asked by Leicester could force Guardiola to consider other options.
Maguire – and De Ligt – warn of United's approach to Wan-Bissaka.
United has opposed Maguire's official bid last summer, saying its price of 60 to 70 million pounds had been inflated as a result of an impressive World Cup.
Now they have to pay even more.
With regard to De Ligt, the scouts were discouraged by the fear that the Dutch could gain weight.
He is now the most sought after center in Europe and United has accepted defeat against the teenager of Ajax.
Solskjaer is convinced that Wan-Bissaka could transform United's defense after spending the last six years counting on wings converted to Antonio Valencia and Ashley Young.
Matteo Darmian has not managed to establish under three different directors – and Diogo Dalot is considered brutal to be the first choice of next season.
United hoped to recover Wan Bissaka for less than 40 million pounds, but 50 million had long been the fees they had to pay.
Palace's insistence that they will not sell the 21-year-old and Wilfried Zaha that summer put pressure on United to quickly increase their bid.
And during a summer that will be so crucial for Solskjaer's hope of catching up on City and Liverpool, there is no time to lose.
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