Manchester United are closing in on the acquisition of Atalanta centre-back Giorgio Scalvini in a £44 million deal, according to the editor of French outlet Les Bons Conceil Du Sports, Seb Ecrivain Foot.

Negotiations are at an advanced stage between both clubs, and the Red Devils are ready to activate the release clause of the 20-year-old.

Man United are looking to bolster their options at centre-back and have been keeping tabs on Scalvini for a while.

The 6ft 4in Italy international is a threat in both boxes and boasts huge potential having established himself as a key player for both club and country.

The youngster is highly regarded as one of the best young centre-backs in the world, and Chelsea have also registered interest in recruiting his services.

However, it appears Man United have pipped them and other suitors to his signature, and he could be moving to Old Trafford in the coming weeks if a deal can be gotten over the line.

Scalvini has also attracted the likes of AC Milan, Inter Milan and Juventus, and the Red Devils can consider themselves lucky if they end up snapping him up ahead of the Italian trio.

Raphael Varane could be on his way out of the Theatre of Dreams at the end of this season when his current contract expires after the club declined to activate the option to automatically extend his deal by another 12 months.

The Frenchman could even leave this month, while Jonny Evans is also out of contract in June 2024, so the Atlanta star could come in as an immediate and long-term replacement.

Despite his tender age, Scalvini has played 74 games for the Serie A club, and his composure and ability to play out from the back are qualities that have likely attracted manager Erik ten Hag.