Manchester United will be required to fork out €60m (£51m) if they wish to sign Atalanta BC defender Giorgio Scalvini in January, according to a report.
United have been tipped to move for a new centre-back in the winter window amid uncertainty over the future of Raphael Varane.
The Frenchman has fallen down the pecking order under manager Erik ten Hag this season, starting just 11 times for Man United across all competitions.
Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof and Jonny Evans have all been preferred ahead of Varane in recent weeks when fit, while Lisandro Martinez – who has been sidelined since the end of September with a foot injury – is regarded as Ten Hag's first-choice centre-back when available.
Varane is believed to be keen to remain at Old Trafford and extend his contract which is due to expire in June 2024, but Man United have allegedly decided against triggering a 12-month extension clause.
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A recent report claims that Man United have identified 20-year-old Atalanta star Scalvini as a possible replacement for Varane this month.
However, according to SportItalia, Atalanta are demanding a €60m (£51m) fee for the Italy international, who is unlikely to depart in January.
Atalanta are under no immediate pressure to cash in on Scalvini as he still has four-and-a-half years remaining on his current contract.
Scalvini has established himself as a first-team regular under Atalanta boss Gian Piero Gasperini since making his senior debut in October 2021, and he is widely regarded as one of the brightest prospects in Italy.
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The youngster has made a total of 76 first-team appearances for La Dea across all tournaments, including 20 outings so far this season for a side who sit sixth in the Serie A table.
Scalvini, who has previously attracted interest from Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City, was rewarded for his impressive form over the last 12 months by receiving the 2023 Italian Golden Boy award.
The 6ft 4in defender's teammate Saed Kolasinac - formerly of Arsenal - recently heaped praise on the youngster, telling reporters, via the Daily Mirror: "I am struck by the maturity of his [20] years. He reads the game well, he knows what to do with the ball, defend one-on-one, how to use his body in marking.
"It's nice to have him alongside [me] in defence. But first of all he is a good guy, even humble. If he doesn't lose this character, he will have a great career."
Scalvini is expected to play in Atalanta's next Serie A match away against Roma on Sunday evening.
Oliver Thomas
