Newcastle United, Manchester United 'exploring Axel Disasi deal'

Newcastle United and Manchester United reportedly hold an interested in Monaco centre-back Axel Disasi.

The 25-year-old has developed into an integral first-team player for the Ligue 1 side since joining the club from Reims in 2020, making 129 appearances across all competitions.

Disasi enjoyed an impressive campaign at the heart of Monaco's defence last season, scoring six goals and providing four assists in 49 games, although the French club failed to qualify for Europe after finishing sixth in Ligue 1.

The four-cap France international still has two years remaining on his contract at the Stade Louis II, but his long-term future at the club is believed to be uncertain amid interest from a number of top Premier League clubs.

Man United, Arsenal, Manchester City and Chelsea have all been credited with an interest in Disasi, with the latter two clubs said to have sent scouts to watch the defender earlier this year.

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Newcastle are the latest English top-flight club to enter the race for Disasi's signature, while Paris Saint-Germain have also been keeping tabs on his situation, although they may cool their interest after signing Lucas Hernandez from Bayern Munich.

According to journalist Fabrizio Romano, Newcastle and Man United are exploring a potential summer deal to sign Disasi, but the two clubs are yet to table a formal offer.

Romano adds that Newcastle approached the player's representatives last week and they are expected to follow that up by contacting Monaco to discuss a possible transfer.

Meanwhile, talks between Man United and Disasi's entourage have been ongoing for weeks and although manager Erik ten Hag is said to have "approved" a summer swoop for the Frenchman, the Red Devils are yet to approach Monaco.

Newcastle and Man United have already splashed the cash in the summer transfer market, with the former recruiting Sandro Tonali from AC Milan for a reported £60.2m and the latter signing Mason Mount for a similar fee from Chelsea.

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However, both clubs are believed to be keen to strengthen their options in central defence ahead of the 2023-24 campaign, with both clubs competing in the Champions League.

Considering that Dan Burn cemented his place at left-back for Newcastle last season, Eddie Howe has just three centre-back options at his disposal in the form of Sven Botman, Fabian Schar and Jamaal Lascelles, the latter of whom has just a year left on his contract and has been linked with a summer exit.

As well as Disasi, Newcastle have also been credited with an interest in Crystal Palace's Marc Guehi, Sporting Lisbon's Goncalo Inacio and Juventus' Leonardo Bonucci.

Man United, meanwhile, are expected to step up their pursuit of a new centre-back if they managed to cash in on Harry Maguire, who has fallen down the pecking order under Ten Hag.

Raphael Varane, Lisandro Martinez and Victor Lindelof are all preferred ahead of Maguire, who is reportedly one of four Red Devils players who Ten Hag is keen to sell within the next two weeks.

Disasi – who is allegedly valued by Monaco between €40m (£34.4m) and €50m (£43m) – is thought to be high on Man United's list of targets after missing out on signing Kim Min-jae, who is set to swap Napoli for Bayern Munich.