Man United will rival Chelsea for the signing of Roma defender Gianluca Mancini, according to reports.
The Italian centre-back has formed a solid partnership with former United man Chris Smalling this season.
They’ve helped Roma to challenge Juventus and Atalanta for a top four spot in Serie A.
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According to the Express, Man United and Chelsea are both prepared to bid for Mancini in the summer transfer window.
The two Premier League sides are hoping to improve their respective defences and see the 24-year-old as an ideal solution.
Roma are keen to keep Mancini as he is one of their prized assets. However, their financial situation has been badly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, forcing them to consider offers.
The report states that they will accept bids of around £27million for Mancini.
Man United and Chelsea see Mancini as a relatively cheap alternative to their other defensive targets.
The Red Devils have been linked with RB Leipzig’s Ibrahima Konate and Sevilla’s Jules Kounde.
Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea, meanwhile, are thought to be tracking Niklas Sule of Bayern Munich.
Mancini is already proving himself to be an effective defender in the Italian top flight.
He’s featured 27 times for Paulo Fonseca’s team this campaign. He’s bagged four goals in that time which shows his threat at the other end of the pitch.
The Italian, capped four times by his country, joined Roma on loan from Atalanta last season.
He was being targeted by Everton at that point, although the Toffees eventually pursued other defenders.
Mancini impressed Roma officials enough to earn a €13million move.
They could now cash-in on Mancini to help recover from their current financial uncertainty.
A move would see Roma more than double the original fee they paid for him.
The player is wanted by United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to partner captain Harry Maguire.
Eric Bailly now looks set for a new contract after impressing the Norwegian, but it seems he is still wanting to bolster his options.
United’s next match is against West Ham on Sunday at 19:15.
Chelsea face Leeds United on Saturday at 12:30.
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