Arsenal & Chelsea 'join race to sign £34.5m Disasi', but Man Utd lead chase

Manchester United are leading the race to sign highly-rated Monaco defender Axel Disasi, despite interest from Arsenal and Chelsea.

The 25-year-old is high on Erik ten Hag’s wish list of defensive reinforcements after catching the eye for the French side.

Despite interest from Premier League rivals Arsenal and Chelsea, United are in pole position to get their man, who Ten Hag is due to start talks with shortly, according to RMC journalist Fabrice Hawkins.

Disasi made an impressive 49 appearances in all competitions, scoring six and notching four assists in a standout individual campaign.

He is believed to be keen on a move to the Premier League after stints with Paris FC, where he came through the youth team, Reims and Monaco.

Both Arsenal and Chelsea are in the hunt for the French international, though the Gunners are further ahead in negotiations for Ajax defender Jurrien Timber. Chelsea’s urgency for quality at the back is due to increase with the impending departure of Kalidou Koulibaly.

Meanwhile back at Old Trafford, the Red Devils have also earmarked Juventus defender Gleison Bremer as another solution to their defensive worries.

In Ten Hag’s second summer window there are expected to be outgoings in the position with captain Harry Maguire facing a summer of speculation after struggling to convince the Dutchman of his suitability for his system.

There are also concerns around the fitness of 30-year-old Raphael Varane. The Frenchman has missed a total of 21 Premier League games in his two years in Manchester.