Manchester United will have to fork out £25m to sign Monaco defender

Manchester United have been informed by AS Monaco that defender Fabinho will cost at least £25m if he has to leave the club this summer. Jose Mourinho is looking for his fifth summer signing following the arrivals of Paul Pogba, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Eric Bailly and Henrikh Mkhitaryan and has made signing a defender a priority.

The Red Devils have been linked with a move for the Brazilian right-back all through the summer, and according to talkSPORT via L'equipe, they are pondering whether to make their interest concrete. The Portuguese manager was initially thought to be looking for a central defender, but with Matteo Darmian's future at the club remaining uncertain it will leave them with just one senior right full-back in Antonio Valencia.

The 22-year-old Brazil international has been impressive since joining the Ligue 1 club on a permanent basis last summer. He made 47 appearances in all competitions last season scoring eight goals and providing five assists, which are impressive numbers for a player in a defensive position. Fabinho, who is primarily a right-back, can also play as a defensive midfielder.

Monaco boss Leonardo Jardim has used Fabinho in a defensive midfield role since last season, and the Brazilian has started in midfield in all his appearances in the current campaign. He seems to be thriving in his new position having scored three goals in his first five appearances in all competitions. The player's versatility could tempt Mourinho into making a move before the close of the summer transfer window on 31 August, but the 20-time English champions will have to meet the Principality club's £25m valuation.

Apart from the Brazil international, United have also been linked with moves for Southampton's Jose Fonte and Juventus' Leonardo Bonucci. Saints boss Claude Puel has confirmed that the former will remain with his current employers, while the Turin club will be reluctant to allow another of their key players to join the 20-times English champions after Pogba returned to Old Trafford earlier in the summer.