United prepare winter raid for £53m defensive monster who has blown scouts away – report

Manchester United are keeping tabs on Wilfried Singo but face a fierce battle with their Premier League rivals to secure the Galatasaray defender’s signature, according to a report from Türkiye. Interest from England’s Elite Turkish newspaper Sabah (as relayed by Sports Witness) reveals the Red Devils’ interest in Singo is matched by Arsenal and Liverpool with all three set to open talks in the new year. The report states the English trio have “sent scouts” to watch the Ivory Coast international this season with the most recent performance – Galatasaray’s 3-0 win over Ajax in the Champions League – drawing rave reviews. Sabah contends the Premier League rivals will be “knocking on the Istanbul club’s door in January.” A previous report from Türkiye indicated Aston Villa were also closely monitoring the 24-year-old defender, who has a £53 million release clause in his contract. Singo’s deal runs until 2025, having only joined the Super Lig champions this summer from Monaco for £27m – a sizeable fee within Turkish football. Galatasaray will not let their new prized asset leave without a fight. A price of at least £44m is suggested as a starting point for negotiations. A Perfect Fit in a Back Three United’s interest in Singo – an athletic defender capable of playing at right-back or centre-back – makes sense given the 3-4-2-1 system in place at Old Trafford. The Ivorian defender would fit perfectly on the right-hand side of Ruben Amorim’s back three, with little worry about how he would adapt to the physical demands of English football. Singo stands nearly 6’3 with a powerful frame. But he is equally quick over the ground, not allowing his size to hinder his speed. This potent pairing fits the prototype the Premier League demands of its defenders – and explains why four of the division’s biggest clubs are hot on his tail. Whether United would have sufficient funds to sanction a raid worth in excess of £40m in the winter window is an entirely different proposition, however. But if INEOS do not act quickly, they may allow a rival to steal march on them in a red-hot race for the dominant defender. Featured image Ahmad Mora via Getty Images The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social Darragh Fox Darragh is an editor for The Peoples Person who spent three years learning about the Cold War at the University of Sheffield slowly realising football was by far the most interesting thing to write about. Amad’s first touch should be officially recognised as the eighth wonder of the world.