Manchester United 'lead Chelsea, Manchester City in race for Axel Disasi'

Manchester United are reportedly at the head of the queue for Monaco defender Axel Disasi.

The 25-year-old has been in impressive form for his Ligue 1 outfit during the 2022-23 campaign, making 41 appearances in all competitions, contributing six goals and four assists in the process.

Disasi represented France at the 2022 World Cup, meanwhile, making three appearances at the competition, including featuring as a late substitute in the final against Argentina.

The centre-back has another two years left to run on his current deal, but there has recently been speculation surrounding his future at Monaco.

Man United are said to be huge admirers of the Frenchman, while Chelsea and Manchester City have also been credited with an interest in his services over the last few months.

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According to Football Insider, the 20-time English champions are leading the race for his signature despite the intense competition from their two Premier League rivals.

The report claims that Erik ten Hag's side have been consistently scouting the defender throughout the campaign and excellent reports have been returned.

Monaco are said to be determined to keep hold of Disasi this summer but would be willing to let him leave for the right price, as the club are wary of him running his contract down.

The defender started his professional career at Paris FC and then represented Reims ahead of a switch to Monaco, and he has now turned out for the principality outfit on 121 occasions, scoring 12 goals and contributing four assists.

Disasi has played in the Europa League and Champions League during his time at Stade Louis II, while he is nine short of 100 league outings for his current side.

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There are expected to be a number of defensive outgoings at Old Trafford this season, with club captain Harry Maguire potentially being among those to move on.

Maguire has struggled for starts this season, but he is expected to take on a key role in the closing stages of the campaign due to injuries to Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane.

Martinez is out for the season with a fractured metatarsal, while Varane will be missing for a number of weeks with the issue that he suffered against Sevilla.

Victor Lindelof could also depart this summer in search of regular action, while Phil Jones, Axel Tuanzebe and Eric Bailly are not in Ten Hag's plans for the 2023-24 campaign.

Man United won the EFL Cup at the end of February - ending a six-year trophy drought in the process - while they are chasing two more trophies this season in the shape of the FA Cup and Europa League.