Manchester United Make Offer For €66m-Rated Defender Ruben Dias

Manchester United have suffered a setback in their initial move for Ruben Dias.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer remains in the hunt for a top defensive addition to his backline. His club has been in pursuit of Harry Maguire for several weeks now, but a favourable outcome is yet to be achieved.

The Red Devils seemingly ended up frustrated in their pursuit of the Leicester City star, as the Foxes remained fixed on their £80m valuation of the England international.

That very frustration led the Old Trafford outfit to consider other options, and they identified an alternative in the form of Benfica centre-back Ruben Dias.

In fact, the Mancunians appear to have made their initial move for the Portuguese international, but that too has ended in failure, as per O Jogo.

United’s offer fell just short of the €66 million release clause in the 22-year-old’s current contract, which led to the bid getting turned down.

Moreover, Benfica are under no pressure to sell their prized asset, having already accumulated €200 million via sales in the ongoing summer transfer window.

The report also adds that the Portuguese club is currently in negotiations with Dias over a new deal, which would effectively increase his release clause up to €88 million.

With massive financial roadblocks in their way, Manchester United might just have to keep conducting business until the final week of the window to get their desired defensive target.