Antonio Rudiger of Real Madrid is apparently a target for Manchester United, who had previously shown interest in the German center-back before he joined the Bernabeu.

What are the newest transfer speculations involving Man United?

The club captain Harry Maguire is reportedly up for sale this summer, and according to rumours in Spain, Erik ten Hag may be considering Rudiger as a potential replacement.

Although Los Blancos are rumoured to be certain that the 6 foot 3 star won’t be sold, after just one season in the Spanish capital, the article indicates that the Red Devils are planning to make a bid of about €60 million (£51 million) to try to pry the 30-year-old from the La Liga club.

According to the Manchester Evening News, the Old Trafford team were eager to capture the then-Chelsea midfielder on a free transfer last year, though the player finally chose to join Carlo Ancelotti’s team after his contract at Stamford Bridge expired.

Rudiger should Man United acquire?

The Premier League’s top teams have a history of raiding Real Madrid for their veteran players in recent years. Casemiro was acquired for £70 million last summer, while Raphael Varane will reportedly cost £41 million when the transaction is finalised in 2021.

The World Cup champion made the switch after having won four Champions Leagues during his time in Spain, much like Rudiger, who seems to have been a long-term goal for United prior to his eventual move to the Theatre of Dreams.

Varane, 30, has had his fair share of injury problems over the past two seasons despite being praised as a “world-class” asset by MEN columnist Samuel Luckhurst upon his arrival in England. Varane was a crucial player under Ten Hag last season as the club broke their six-year trophy drought.

The former Lens ace has had a significant “influence” on the Red Devils because of his prior winning experience, according to his manager. If Rudiger makes the same move this summer, it is hoped that he can do the same. TalkSPORT pundit Adrian Mariappa described him as “cool, calm, and collected.”

The “immense” defender, as described by ex-United player Rio Ferdinand, may be nearing the twilight of his career, but he still has a lot to offer Ten Hag. He previously won the Champions League and Europa League with Chelsea during his time in west London.

The 60-cap jewel impressed Ferdinand for his ability to contain the threatening presence of Erling Haaland during Madrid’s semi-final first-leg match with Manchester City back in May.

The former Roma player is not just a hot-headed, careless asset, though, as evidenced by the fact that the Berlin native can mimic Varane’s ‘calm’ approach, as demonstrated by the fact that he ranks in the top 5% of his European peers for pass completion, demonstrating just how at ease he is with playing out from the back.

According to previous manager Thomas Tuchel, Rudiger is a “aggressive leader,” much like Varane, who Luckhurst has praised as a “leader” and who may provide Ten Hag another strong character in the locker room.

Maguire might be on the way out, therefore signing the German for £241k a week would be a very wise investment this summer.