With Lisandro Martnez, Raphael Varane, Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelöf, Eric Bailly, and Jonny Evans, Manchester United doesn’t lack for centre backs, but Fabrizio Romano of Give Me Sport said that Erik Ten Hag is still looking for another defender before the summer transfer window closes.

Ten Hag is investigating a move for Marc Guehi among others as a potential replacement for one of the two because Maguire has been put on the transfer list but is refusing to leave Old Trafford and Bailly appears to be surplus to requirements after dropping down the pecking order.

Edmond Tapsoba, Benjamin Pavard, and Jean-Clair Todibo are on United’s shortlist, according to Romano, although he downplayed rumours of a formal bid. Todibo is still on the list, but Pavard is the first choice, he explained. Then there are Tapsoba and Guehi, who are valued players but aren’t Manchester United priorities.

Guehi transferred from Chelsea to Crystal Palace in 2021, and since then, he has made 84 appearances across all competitions, with five goals and one assist. The only United centre back who averaged more tackles per game than Guehi (1.4) was Lisandro Martinez, while the only player to average more interceptions (1.2) than the England international was Diogo Dalot.

Due to Guehi’s remaining three years on his contract, Palace are not required to cash in early. According to reports, the 23-year-old would also cost over £60 million, so he won’t be cheap. Maguire was supposed to be transferred to West Ham United for £30 million, but the deal fell through.

Ten Hag runs the possibility of being forced to keep Maguire because it is unclear whether any other clubs will make an offer for the 30-year-old. Guehi has participated in both of Palace’s league contests this season, so it doesn’t seem as though the transfer rumours have swayed him.

And United won’t likely add another defender as long as Maguire is still on the payroll. Ten Hag may feel that other, more ardent positions require bolstering since he is overstocked in this one.