Mason Greenwood might be used by Manchester United as a makeweight in their pursuit of Gleison Bremer, the defender for Juventus.

According to an Italian publication, La Gazzetta dello Sport, Old Trafford representatives have contacted middlemen on a possible transaction involving the 27-year-old centre defender from Brazil.

This season, Erik ten Hag’s team has had severe injury problems, none more so than in the centre defence.

Due to two different injuries, Lisandro Martinez has missed the most of the season; nevertheless, the Argentine has also been joined at different times by Raphael Varane, Harry Maguire, and Victor Lindelof.

With Varane’s contract set to expire at the end of the current campaign and rumours connecting Maguire and Lindelöf to transfers away from Old Trafford, the long-term future of these three defenders is also in doubt. And even if Martinez is a certain to start, the former Ajax player is still exposed in the air in the absence of a strong partner.

Bremer is the ideal candidate to be United’s next centre, since they will be looking for a centre this summer who is powerful both aerially and physically.

The Brazilian international is well-known in Serie A as a formidable defensive player and is ranked in the 87th percentile for successful aerial duels. He deviates from the typical modern defender’s profile, which values technique over physicality; instead, he is more reminiscent of the centre backs who dominated European football in the early 2000s.

Bremer’s contract has a release clause that is reportedly open to a transfer to the Premier League and is estimated to be worth between £43 million and £50 million. If United is prepared to pay the necessary amount to initiate a move, it should thus prove to be rather straightforward.

Nonetheless, Mason Greenwood, a United player, continues to pique Juventus’ interest and might be essential to any future agreement.

The 22-year-old forward, who is presently on loan at Getafe, has been recognised by the Italian club as a player who may support their attacking line, as explained in more detail here. Sergio Romero, a former Serie A and United custodian, thinks Greenwood would be the ideal addition to Juventus’ current striking duo of Federico Chiesa and Dusan Vlahovic.

According to La Gazetta dello Sport, United is aware of this interest in Bremer and, as a result, “Greenwood…could be included in the deal” as a possible counteroffer to reduce Juventus’ asking price.

This summer, Old Trafford authorities will be eager to improve Ten Hag’s team in a number of areas, so being able to acquire a much-needed central defence at a discounted cost—thanks to a striker who will not play for United again—would be a huge help to their ambitions.