Sky: Man Utd & Aston Villa set to duel for 29-year-old German international | OneFootball

Manchester United have reportedly added Borussia Dortmund defender Waldemar Anton to their summer shortlist.

The Red Devils will address several departments in the upcoming transfer campaign, beginning with the middle of the park, where at least two new profiles are expected to arrive.

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In addition to midfielders, Man Utd are also in the market for a left winger and a full-back, while the latest report from Germany claims that signing a defender is also on Jason Wilcox’s to-do list.

Man Utd & Aston Villa tracking Waldemar Anton

According to Sky Sport DE, Waldemar Anton has made the shortlist for Man United and Aston Villa, who are also in the market for a new centre-back.

The 29-year-old is a Hannover youth product who went on to make a name for himself at Stuttgart. In the summer of 2024, Dortmund splashed €22.5 million to secure his services, and he has now established himself as a protagonist at the back for the Bundesliga giants.

Anton often plays as the central defender in Niko Kovac’s three-man backline. However, he’s also capable of occupying the right-back role, and can also feature as a holding midfielder when required.

The Almalyk native also has 12 senior international caps for Germany. Julian Nagelsmann called him up for the current international break, but he was an unused substitute in the friendly wins over Switzerland and Ghana. Therefore, his World Cup berth remains uncertain.

Is there enough space for Anton at Man United?

With a contract expiring in June 2028 and an estimated market value of €18 million (£15.6m), Anton should be an affordable profile for Man Utd, even though BVB are likely to request a higher figure.

Nevertheless, the question is whether United genuinely need a new centre-back, and if the German international is indeed the right profile.

Following Michael Carrick’s appointment, the club returned to a more traditional 4-2-3-1 formation, and they’re expected to maintain a four-man backline regardless of whether the Englishman stays in charge or makes way for another permanent head coach, as Ruben Amorim’s much-maligned 3-4-3 is unlikely to be revived.

Therefore, United currently have five centre-backs in Harry Maguire, Lisandro Martinez, Matthijs de Ligt, Leny Yoro, and Ayden Heaven, vying for only two starting roles. Moreover, Maguire is on the cusp of extending his contract for at least another season.

However, with De Ligt and Martinez reccurringly struggling for fitness, and Yoro and Heaven still developing their game, perhaps United could do with an experienced profile like Anton, whose aerial prowess and knack for scoring goals render him a natural successor to Maguire in the year to come.

Hence, the 29-year-old’s signing could be a savvy piece of business from the club’s Head of Recruitment, Christopher Vivell, who knows German football inside out.