Manchester United fail with opening bid for French defender

Manchester United have failed with an opening bid to sign Benoit Badiashile from AS Monaco, a report from RMC Sport claims.

The Red Devils are keen on signing a left-footed centre-back to partner Harry Maguire next season and Badiashile has been earmarked as the top target.

According to RMC Sport, the club made a bid of around £22.4m for the 19-year-old, but the offer was swiftly knocked back by Monaco.

Monaco boss Niko Kovac is reluctant to part ways with the towering defender and it is reported that it would take a Martial-like bid to sign him.

Anthony Martial joined United from Monaco for an initial £36m in 2015, but the deal has several add-ons and could rise up to £58.8m.

United were previously credited with an interest in Arsenal-bound Gabriel Magalhaes, but they did not make a formal offer to sign him from Lille.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is far from impressed with the showing of Victor Lindelof and he is desperate to add another centre-back to the squad this summer.