Manchester United 'handed Bremer boost as Juventus identify replacements'

Manchester United have apparently received a boost in their pursuit of Juventus defender Bremer, whom the Bianconeri have now identified three ideal replacements for.

The Brazil international has established himself as a fundamental part of Massimiliano Allegri's three-man defence since joining the Old Lady from Torino for â‚¬44m (Â£37.7m) in the summer of 2022.

Bremer has conjured up seven goals and one assist in 73 games for Juventus, including two strikes from 29 Serie A games in the 2023-24 season, where he has only missed one fixture through suspension.

The Bianconeri only tied the 27-year-old down to a new long-term contract in December until the summer of 2028, but his renewal is unlikely to deter interest from Man United in the summer window.

The Red Devils are supposedly willing to pay Bremer's reported â‚¬65m (Â£55.7m) release clause to bring him to Old Trafford, or they could instead try to drive the price down in a player-plus-cash agreement.

Juventus to rival Premier League duo for Sporting star

Now, the 20-time English champions have supposedly received encouragement in their efforts to sign Bremer, as Fichajes claims that Juventus are now scouring the market for his potential successor.

The Bianconeri suppose have three names in mind for a replacement for the Brazilian, including the much-coveted Ousmane Diomande from Sporting Lisbon, who became an Africa Cup of Nations winner with Ivory Coast earlier this year.

The 20-year-old - a towering 6ft 3in centre-back - is the most audacious option on Juve's list, though, as Premier League clubs are also expected to come calling for his signature in the coming months.

Both Arsenal and Chelsea have been strongly linked with a swoop for Diomande, who would receive a far better financial package in the Premier League than Serie A, especially given Juve's recent financial controversies.

Wolfsburg, Atletico defenders on Bianconeri shortlist

Should the pull of the Premier League prove too strong for Diomande to ignore, Juventus could instead pursue a deal for Wolfsburg's Maxence Lacroix, a 23-year-old Frenchman formerly linked with a switch to England too.

Liverpool were thought to have been considering a winter move for the 23-year-old, who is only under contract with Wolfsburg until 2025, having failed to agree an extension since his 2020 arrival from Sochaux.

Despite his uncertain situation and Wolfsburg's precarious position in the Bundesliga table, the German club will supposedly demand â‚¬40m to sell Lacroix, who is ready to advance his career elsewhere.

Alternatively, Juventus could turn to La Liga for a cheaper option in the shape of Atletico Madrid's Mario Hermoso, who will become a free agent at the end of the season as things stand.

The 28-year-old is a trusted performer for Diego Simeone, starting all eight of Atletico's Champions League games so far this term, but negotiations over a renewal are yet to bear fruit.

As is the case with Diomande and Lacroix, though, Juventus could find themselves battling Premier League opposition for Hermoso, who is believed to be on Aston Villa's radar too.